Articles for Qualified Immunity

Court revives lawsuit of Black pastor who was arrested while watering his neighbor’s flowers
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Court revives lawsuit of Black pastor who was arrested while watering his neighbor’s flowers

Associated Press  

Montgomery, Ala. — The police officers who arrested a Black pastor while he watered his neighbor’s plants can be sued, a federal appeals court ruled Friday, reversing a lower court judge’s decision to dismiss the pastor’s lawsuit. A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that the three officers who arrested Michael Jennings in Childersburg, Alabama, …

Court Right Officers Arrested Arrest Jennings Pastor
She Was a Teenager When a Renegade Cop Framed Her. Will She Finally Get Justice?
4 months, 1 week ago

She Was a Teenager When a Renegade Cop Framed Her. Will She Finally Get Justice?

Slate  

More than 30 people suffered life-altering consequences after Sgt. A federal appeals court described Weyker’s police work as “plagued with problems from the start.” And a different federal appeals court expressed “acute concern” about Weyker’s conduct in one case, proclaiming that her presentation was “likely a fictitious story.” Despite the scolding and token discipline, Weyker has never had to answer …

Court Officials Federal Officer Immunity Government Officials Mohamud
Supreme Court: Judge Carlton Reeves delivers a scathing warning about SCOTUS and civil rights.
7 months ago

Supreme Court: Judge Carlton Reeves delivers a scathing warning about SCOTUS and civil rights.

Slate  

It takes a lot of courage for a lower court judge to criticize the Supreme Court, but Judge Carlton Reeves has long felt a responsibility to speak candidly to the public about threats to their civil rights. If anything, it represents a kind of ‘trickle-down’ democratic legitimacy.” In recent years, the Supreme Court has not bothered to account for qualified …

Law Supreme Court Constitution Court Rights Congress Civil Rights
LAPD officer kept shooting after suspect was down, but court says law protects her
9 months ago

LAPD officer kept shooting after suspect was down, but court says law protects her

LA Times  

Matthew Hernandez, 8, holds a sign with a picture of his uncle, Daniel Hernandez, during an event held by family in June 2020. I’m very concerned, seriously, about our civil rights.” Arnoldo Casillas, an attorney for other Hernandez family members and Hernandez’s estate, said the ruling showed qualified immunity is a “sham for negligent cops,” but that he looks forward …

Law Family Court Collins Officer Officers Mcbride
What is the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and can Congress pass it?
1 year, 10 months ago

What is the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and can Congress pass it?

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A crucial component of the bill would overhaul the legal liability shield for individual …

Law Enforcement Justice Congress Reform Police Reform Democratic Senate
Public outrage over Nichols’ beating collides with Washington bureaucracy on police reform
1 year, 10 months ago

Public outrage over Nichols’ beating collides with Washington bureaucracy on police reform

CNN  

A version of this story appears in CNN’s What Matters newsletter. “Shame on us if we don’t use tragic death to finally get the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act passed,” Ben Crump said on CNN’s “State of Union.” Video Ad Feedback Bash asks Crump if he's confident officers will be convicted. Hear his response 03:18 - Source: CNN President …

Law Law Enforcement Congress Enforcement Police Reform Legislation Democratic
What So Many Refuse to See in a Horrifying New Arkansas Police Video
2 years, 4 months ago

What So Many Refuse to See in a Horrifying New Arkansas Police Video

Slate  

A horrifying incident this weekend in Mulberry, Arkansas, has marked the latest chapter of America’s ongoing conversation about police violence. In addition to the high-profile cases of police violence that we have become familiar with in past years, we have also recently witnessed various forms of other misconduct by law enforcement. The bill was largely intended to address systemic racism …

Law Law Enforcement Enforcement Police Reform Accountability Way American
Texas shooting: Police, guns and schools protected from lawsuits
2 years, 6 months ago

Texas shooting: Police, guns and schools protected from lawsuits

Al Jazeera  

US police and government institutions enjoy immunities that could make it difficult for Uvalde parents to take them to court. While public outrage grows in the United States over a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas that left 21 dead last week, the victims’ relatives may never get their day in court against police, school authorities and gunmakers who enjoy special …

Law Florida Shooting Families Gun Shooter Connecticut
Joe Biden struggles to take action on US police reform
2 years, 7 months ago

Joe Biden struggles to take action on US police reform

Al Jazeera  

With Congress stalemated, the White House is stuck between reform advocates and police unions who are far apart on policies. After more than a year in office, President Joe Biden has not yet delivered on long-promised police reforms in the United States, leaving Black civil rights advocates and community activists disappointed. In January, the White House signalled Biden would soon …

Rights Civil Congress Black Reforms White House Reform
Herring seeks 3rd term as AG; Miyares stands in his way
3 years, 2 months ago

Herring seeks 3rd term as AG; Miyares stands in his way

Associated Press  

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Democrat Mark Herring is seeking a third term as attorney general, highlighting a progressive record that includes defending gay marriage, gun control and criminal justice reform. While Herring embraces liberals’ plaudits for embracing criminal justice reform in the wake of George Floyd’s death, Miyares portrays the Democrat’s work as part of a “criminal-first, victim-last mindset” that …

Record Criminal Case Virginia Democrat Herring Qualified Immunity
Opinion: What Congress’ total failure on police reform means for communities
3 years, 2 months ago

Opinion: What Congress’ total failure on police reform means for communities

CNN  

Editor’s Note: David A. The Philadelphia police commissioner said that what happened to Young “violated the mission of the Philadelphia Police Department.” That’s true, and the city has taken steps to be accountable. For example, in March, New York City eliminated qualified immunity for police officers, which has shielded officers from lawsuits accusing them of misconduct. After George Floyd’s murder, …

Law Law Enforcement Congress Black Reform Police Reform Young
Bans on chokeholds for federal officers latest in nationwide push to hold police to a ‘higher standard’
3 years, 3 months ago

Bans on chokeholds for federal officers latest in nationwide push to hold police to a ‘higher standard’

CNN  

CNN — The Justice Department announcement Tuesday that federal law enforcement officers will be banned from using neck restraints during arrests and using no-knock entries while executing warrants except in rare cases is part of an ongoing focus on police accountability at local, state and federal levels. “Floyd’s case did bring to light a lot of very critically important issues …

Law Law Enforcement Death Investigation Changes House Cnn
Congress only having a ‘framework’ for police reform is unacceptable (Opinion)
3 years, 5 months ago

Congress only having a ‘framework’ for police reform is unacceptable (Opinion)

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Sonia Pruitt is a retired Montgomery County, Maryland police captain. She is on the Board of Directors and a speaker with the Law Enforcement Action Partnership, which advocates for criminal justice and drug policy reform and is the founder of The Black Police Experience, which promotes the education and history of the intersection of law enforcement and the …

Law Community Law Enforcement Black Police Reform Senate Cnn
Derek Chauvin Is Sentenced To 22 1/2 Years For George Floyd's Murder
3 years, 5 months ago

Derek Chauvin Is Sentenced To 22 1/2 Years For George Floyd's Murder

NPR  

Derek Chauvin Is Sentenced To 22 1/2 Years For George Floyd's Murder Enlarge this image toggle caption Court TV via AP/Pool Court TV via AP/Pool A Minnesota judge sentenced Derek Chauvin to 22 1/2 years in prison Friday for the murder of George Floyd — a punishment that exceeds the state's minimum guidelines but falls short of prosecutors' request of …

Family Murder Prison Court Minnesota George Her Son
GOP senators set summer deadline on Congress’ policing bill
3 years, 6 months ago

GOP senators set summer deadline on Congress’ policing bill

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Congressional bargainers should reach a bipartisan deal on revamping policing procedures by early summer or abandon the effort, Republicans said Wednesday, a day after George Floyd’s family used visits to the White House and the Capitol to prod lawmakers to act. “I think it’s June or bust,” lead GOP bargainer Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina told reporters, …

Congress Senate House Republicans Sen Scott Floyd
GOP senators set summer deadline on Congress’ policing bill
3 years, 6 months ago

GOP senators set summer deadline on Congress’ policing bill

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Congressional bargainers should reach a bipartisan deal on revamping policing procedures by early summer or abandon the effort, Republicans said Wednesday, a day after George Floyd’s family used visits to the White House and the Capitol to prod lawmakers to act. “I think it’s June or bust,” lead GOP bargainer Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina told reporters, …

Congress Senate House Republicans Sen Scott Floyd
What is qualified immunity, the court creation that keeps cops from being sued over civil rights abuses?
3 years, 6 months ago

What is qualified immunity, the court creation that keeps cops from being sued over civil rights abuses?

LA Times  

Police officers form a line during protests in Louisville, Ky. In recent years, the Supreme Court has considered a handful of small qualified immunity cases to keep some extreme uses from becoming precedent, but they’ve been unwilling to address the doctrine as a whole. Those who want to see it eliminated or changed argue that there needs to be a …

Court Congress Civil Rights Constitutional Rights Public Officials Public Supreme
US Supreme Court declines to hear ‘qualified immunity’ case
3 years, 7 months ago

US Supreme Court declines to hear ‘qualified immunity’ case

Al Jazeera  

The United States Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up a case over whether to make it easier to hold municipalities liable for civil rights violations committed by their police, rejecting an appeal involving a man fatally shot by an officer in Ohio. Matthew Rhodes, the officer who shot Stewart in the chest and neck at close range, avoided …

Court Officer Stewart Excessive Force Immunity Euclid Qualified Immunity
‘Qualified immunity’: How US police are shielded from lawsuits
3 years, 7 months ago

‘Qualified immunity’: How US police are shielded from lawsuits

Al Jazeera  

US courts have developed a legal doctrine that protects police from lawsuits for civil rights abuses, wrongful deaths. Phoenix police body-camera video shows Muhaymin was “very polite, committed no crime that day, tried to use a public restroom and died for it”, said Haytham Faraj, a lawyer representing Mussallina and Muhammad’s two children. Qualified immunity has “morphed over the years” …

Family Death Court Rights Civil Man Senate
‘Justice Lab’ aims to expose, litigate claims of police bias
3 years, 7 months ago

‘Justice Lab’ aims to expose, litigate claims of police bias

Associated Press  

NEW ORLEANS — A woman forced to the ground by two sheriff’s deputies in an arrest recorded by her son. They are the subjects of federal lawsuits filed in recent weeks by attorneys working under the auspices of “Justice Lab,” an initiative launched nearly a year ago by the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana to raise awareness of, and …

Law Justice Lawsuit Man New Orleans Floyd Qualified Immunity
Tim Scott on policing overhaul: ‘I think we have a long way to go’
3 years, 7 months ago

Tim Scott on policing overhaul: ‘I think we have a long way to go’

CNN  

CNN — Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina offered a blunt assessment on Thursday of where things stand in the bipartisan effort to craft a compromise to overhaul policing in the US, telling CNN, “I think we have a long way to go.” Calling progress “incremental,” Scott said the three key negotiators – himself, Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of …

Democratic Cnn Going Officers Bass Scott Booker
Floyd verdict won’t remove blocks to police accountability
3 years, 7 months ago

Floyd verdict won’t remove blocks to police accountability

Associated Press  

The guilty verdicts in the George Floyd murder case felt like a watershed moment to many Americans. • In St. Louis, the police unions are effectively segregated, white officers have gotten away with assaulting black colleagues, police used unconstitutional “kettling” techniques to trap and assault demonstrators and misbehaving officers often get jobs with forgiving suburban departments that welcome aggressive tactics …

Law Florida Rights States Congress Trump Records
Congress faces busy week of negotiations as Biden prepares for joint address. Here’s what to watch.
3 years, 7 months ago

Congress faces busy week of negotiations as Biden prepares for joint address. Here’s what to watch.

CNN  

Washington CNN — Lawmakers on Capitol Hill will juggle a slate of competing priorities this week as both parties wrestle with tense negotiations over infrastructure and police reform. “It’s a basic question,” the President said last month in rolling out the first part of the package outlining his infrastructure goals. Here’s where things stand on Capitol Hill: An ‘active conversation’ …

Infrastructure Medicare Congress Police Reform Democratic Democrats Republican
Optimism on police reform in the Capitol collides with anguish in the streets
3 years, 7 months ago

Optimism on police reform in the Capitol collides with anguish in the streets

CNN  

CNN — As President Joe Biden looks to build momentum for police reform in his address to a joint session of Congress this week, there is some optimism in Washington about the potential for a bipartisan compromise that would finally create more accountability for law enforcement. “We have 18,000 police departments and no national standards, which is why you see …

Congress Reform Police Reform Democratic South Carolina Democrats Senate