Jimmy Marks facts for kids

Jimmy Marks (born February 14, 1945 – died June 27, 2007) was a Romani American man. He lived in Spokane, Washington. He called himself a "Rom." Romani people are an ethnic group with roots in India. They have a unique culture and history.

A Big Event in Spokane

Jimmy Marks became well-known in 1986. This happened when the police in Spokane, Washington, went to his home. They searched his house and took many items. They took $1.6 million in cash and $160,000 worth of jewelry. The police did this without a proper search warrant. A search warrant is a legal paper. It is signed by a judge. It allows police to search a place and take things.

Why the Money Was There

The Marks family said the large amount of cash was not theirs alone. They explained it belonged to other Romani families. These families often did not trust banks. So, they kept their money with trusted community members like the Markses.

The Lawsuit and Its Outcome

Jimmy Marks decided to take legal action. He sued the city of Spokane. He asked for $59 million in damages. This legal fight lasted for 11 years. In the end, the case was settled outside of court. The city agreed to pay $1.43 million to Marks.

A Landmark Civil Rights Case

This lawsuit became very important. It is seen as a "landmark case" for the civil rights of Romani Americans. Civil rights are the basic rights and freedoms that all people should have. This case helped show that Romani Americans deserve the same legal protections as everyone else. It highlighted the importance of following the law, especially regarding search warrants.