Case Explained: Kenneth Hunt v. Dale Acosta, Marianna Police Officer, in his individual and official capacity Martin Wilson, Chief of Police, in his individual and official capacity; Jimmy Williams, Marianna Mayor, in his individual and official capacity; City of Marianna, Arkansas

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit Filed: 2026-08-17 The eighth-circuit affirmed the district court’s judgment in favor of plaintiff Kenneth Hunt on his Fourth Amendment unlawful arrest claim against Officer Dale Acosta and related defendants. The court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in excluding specific proffered testimony regarding a judge’s standing order, as the excluded evidence was not critical enough to create a reasonable assurance that the jury would have reached a different conclusion, particularly since the officer presented abundant other evidence about the order and the basis for the stop. Furthermore, the court rejected the officer’s argument that attorney’s fees should be reduced due to Hunt’s rejection of a settlement offer, noting the offer was significantly lower than the final damages award, and upheld the district court’s reduction of counsel’s hourly rate from $425 to $350 based on local market rates for similar cases in the Eastern District of Arkansas. Consequently, the jury verdict awarding Hunt $25,000 in compensatory damages, $15,000 in punitive damages, and approximately $106,548.75 in attorney’s fees remains in effect. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.