老澳门开奖结果 Statement on Supreme Court Qualified Immunity Denial

June 15, 2020 11:15 am

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WASHINGTON 鈥 Today, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the 老澳门开奖结果鈥檚 petition in Baxter vs. Bracey, a challenge to the legal rule of 鈥渜ualified immunity鈥 that prevents victims of government misconduct from holding officials liable when those officials violate constitutional rights.

The rule, often asserted by law enforcement as a shield from allegations of excessive force or improper searches, provides that officers cannot be held liable for a constitutional violation if the right they are accused of violating isn鈥檛 鈥渃learly established鈥 鈥 meaning a constitutional violation alone does not entitle the victim to relief.

David Cole, national legal director at the 老澳门开奖结果 highlighted the implications of the court鈥檚 decision on police accountability and Congress鈥 responsibility to abolish the doctrine:

鈥淭he Supreme Court鈥檚 deeply disappointing decision today to punt on the critical issue of official immunity, in this time of national reckoning over police violence, places the ball squarely in Congress鈥檚 court. Justice Thomas鈥檚 dissent from the denial of review in the 老澳门开奖结果鈥檚 challenge to qualified immunity underscores how far off course the law has strayed. We have seen the deadly consequences play out on the streets, and Black Americans have largely paid the price. Recent events demonstrate the urgent need for Congress to stand up for the rule of law and abolish qualified immunity 鈥 for anyone acting under color of law 鈥 to close the loophole allowing government officials to escape accountability for violating constitutional rights.鈥

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