Constitutionality of Punitive Damages/Evidence--Prior Bad Acts and Public Records Exception

Hudgins v. Southwest Airlines, Co., 2009 WL 73251 (Ct. App. Div. 1, January 13, 2009) Justice Timmer. EXCESSIVE PUNITIVE DAMAGE AWARD UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Plaintiffs, Virginia-based bounty hunters, flew from Baltimore to Phoenix on a Southwest Airlines [SW] flight in pursuit of a fugitive. Prior to departure the plaintiffs contacted SW and learned the procedure for taking hand guns on board, complied and were knowingly permitted by SW agents to take their guns on board the flight despite the fact it was against FAA regulations