Unreported / Non-Citable
Background
Kisha Webb sued Target, Target Corporation, and Target Store #2334. The case was pending in the Northern District of Texas after being removed from the 95th Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas.
The parties filed an agreed motion to remand. In considering that motion, the federal court also reviewed Webb’s stipulation that she sought no more than $70,000 in total damages.
The Court’s Holding
The court granted the agreed motion to remand. It found that the amount in controversy did not exceed $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs, and therefore concluded that it lacked subject-matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a).
Under 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c), the court remanded the case to the 95th Judicial District Court of Dallas County. It ordered each party to bear its own costs and attorney’s fees, directed the clerk to send a certified copy of the order to the Dallas County district clerk, and closed the federal case.
Key Takeaways
- Webb stipulated that she sought no more than $70,000 in total damages.
- The court found that the amount in controversy did not exceed the $75,000 threshold for diversity jurisdiction.
- The case was remanded to Texas state court, with each party responsible for its own costs and attorney’s fees.
Why It Matters
The order applies the amount-in-controversy requirement for federal diversity jurisdiction. Because the court found that the amount did not exceed $75,000, it lacked jurisdiction and returned the dispute to the state court where it had been filed.