Debate On Qualified Immunity

Both sides of the debate.

Debate on qualified immunity. Qualified immunity is the status of certain government officials in this case police officers in which lawsuits regarding civil damage when the official is on duty and performing their duty are dismissed as long as they qualify. Qualified immunity which the supreme court created decades ago has become a focal point of the debate on policing following the death of george floyd who died in minneapolis police custody in may. Critics say that qualified immunity offers too much protection for the police and lessens their accountability. On january 3 2019 the federalist society hosted a luncheon debate on qualified immuni.

The death of george floyd at the hands of a minneapolis police officer has done more than just trigger massive protests and riots it s brought a simmering debate on qualified immunity for. Created by the supreme court in 1967 the legal doctrine of qualified immunity shields government officials from being sued even if they violate someone s constitutional rights as long as they. Another area where qualified immunity is misapplied is first amendment cases involving public employees fired for their speech. Because police officers indemnify the police department in civil lawsuits the police department would pay the compensation money to the victim family of the victim.

The federalist society s el paso lawyers chapter hosted a zoom debate on the issue on september 1st 2020 covering points ranging from the merits of the doctrine as it is applied today to which branch of government the judiciary or. Critics say that qualified immunity offers too much protection for the police and lessens their accountability. Kritiks are not allowed. The federalist society s nebraska lawyers chapter hosted a zoom debate on the issue covering points ranging from the merits of the doctrine as it is applied today to which branch of government the judiciary or congress should.

The first round of the debate is acceptance only and no new arguments in the final round. It attempts to balance the need to allow public officials to do their jobs with the need to hold bad actors accountable. Should the supreme court overrule the doctrine of qualified immunity. Qualified immunity provides protection from civil lawsuits for law enforcement officers and other public officials.

Proponents of qualified immunity argue that without a.