Kansas Highway Patrol ordered to pay more than $2M for ‘two-step’ approach
54°
Wichita, KS
Weather
Livestream
Factfinder
Does It Work
Sports
Catch It Kansas
Advertise with KWCH
Kansas Highway Patrol ordered to pay more than $2M for ‘two-step’ approach
By Jeffrey Lutz and Brock Wilson
Published: Apr. 16, 2024 at 7:19 AM CDT
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - A U.S. district court judge ordered the Kansas Highway Patrol to pay more than $2 million in attorney fees and other costs.
The judgment stems from a 2019 lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union against the KHP over its “two-step” approach.
That’s where troopers pull someone over, and then seek to reengage the driver after the stop to develop reasonable suspicion to search their vehicle.
A judge ruled the approach violated drivers’ rights. The new ruling means the agency must pay $2.3 million to the plaintiffs to cover attorney fees and court costs.
The KHP said is aware of the court’s ruling, and “will have no statements to provide until the the Attorney General’s office has reviewed and evaluated this.”
The ACLU calls the ruling a big win for the rights of not only Kansans, but everyone that drives through the state.
“I think this award that happened on Friday really vindicates our clients’ positions that these stops and this sort of practice that the KHP has engaged in for years is unlawful,” said ACLU of Kansas Staff Attorney Kunyu Ching.
Ching said the $2.3 million judgment is separate from previous payouts to individuals the ACLU has represented in cases against the highway patrol.
“One of those clients received an award of $1 in normal damages. Our second client received $20,000 in compensatory damages and approximately another $20,000 in punitive damages,” Ching said.
In addition to the financial compensation, the court placed the KHP under court supervision for up to four years. The highway patrol is appealing the ruling on the “two-step.” This means for now, troopers can still legally do it, but they could also face more civil suits in the future.
Copyright 2024 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email [email protected]
Most Read
Four people have been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection to the two...
4 accused of murdering 2 Kansas women in Okla. appear in court
Man killed in shooting at Fairmount Park.
WPD: Man found in Fairmount Park died of ‘medical emergency’
KBI agents arrested David Justice, 55, of Baxter Springs, near his residence on April 17,...
KBI arrests police lieutenant accused of child sex crimes
[INSERT CAPTION HERE]
Park City woman indicted for threats to Presidents Biden, Clinton
Damage to McPherson's Windom Cemetery.
Nearly 50 headstones damaged at McPherson County cemetery
Latest News
The University of Kansas unveiled plans for a reimagined Memorial Stadium on Aug. 15, 2023.
KU’s “Gateway District Project” brings changes to historic football staduim
Gavin Portnor with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children shares insight into...
Sextortion crisis worries grow nationwide
Afternoon headlines with Keith Grant, Storm Team 12 Meteorologist Adrian Campa, and 12 News...
Afternoon update | April 18
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu will spend next week in Switzerland to learn about the “robust and...
Mayor Wu travels to Switzerland next week, hopes to implement Swiss ideas in Wichita
Mayor Lily Wu discusses city budget plans, the City of Wichita career fair, infertility...
Mayor's media briefing on April 18
News
Aviation
Sports
Weather
FactFinder
Extra
Contact Us
KWCH
2815 E. 37th Street North
Wichita, KS 67219
(316) 838-1212
KWCH Public Inspection File
KSCW Public Inspection File
[email protected] - (316) 831-6056
FCC Applications
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
EEO Statement
Advertising
Closed Captioning/Audio Description
Digital Marketing
At Gray, our journalists report, write, edit and produce the news content that informs the communities we serve. Click here to learn more about our approach to artificial intelligence.
A Gray Media Group, Inc. Station - © 2002-2024 Gray Television, Inc.