Former state Rep. Eric Major won a $500,000 jury award against the city of Birmingham over his 2004 arrest and acquittal on charges he physically attacked his ex-fiancee. After Friday's verdict, Major repeated his claim that he was treated improperly. He said he wants to make sure that doesn't happen to anyone else.

The award was not the first win for Major in this case. In March 2006, a Jefferson County jury found him not guilty of a misdemeanor criminal charge of domestic violence.

Major maintains that his arrest was part of an attempt to ruin his reputation and his political career. The criminal trial took place a week before he qualified to seek re-election for the District 55 seat. A Democrat, Major lost the seat in a primary runoff.

Alabama law normally sets a $100,000 cap on compensatory damages against municipalities. But a 1992 federal case from Alabama said the cap does not apply in state suits brought under the federal civil rights law Major cited in his lawsuit.

Major's lawyer, Stewart Springer, said the verdict represented "justice, total justice."

Assistant city attorney Tom Bentley said he'll make the appropriate post-trial motions and, if necessary, any appeals.