DOJ Exposes Severe Racial Bias and Unconstitutional Policing in Lexington, MS

A federal report reveals systemic abuses, including a 'debtors' prison' scheme and racially targeted arrests, in the small majority-Black town.

The Justice Department found Lexington police engaged in illegal traffic stops, searches, and unconstitutional jailing practices.
Residents owe over $1.7 million in fines, with many jailed for unpaid debts in a practice likened to a 'debtors' prison.'
The investigation revealed a pattern of racially disparate policing, with Black residents disproportionately targeted and subjected to excessive force.
The report highlights a lack of oversight and leadership, allowing officers to violate laws and retaliate against critics without consequence.
The findings are part of a broader DOJ effort to address unconstitutional policing in small and mid-size departments across the South.