Justices Question Proper Rule for Malicious Prosecution Claims (1)

The US Supreme Court wrestled with whether an Ohio jewelry store owner can bring a malicious prosecution claim against police officers for allegedly arresting him on a money laundering charge without probable cause.

A federal appeals court tossed out Jascha Chiaverini’s civil rights suit after finding probable cause for two other charges brought against him.

During arguments Monday, Justice Neil Gorsuch said he struggled to understand why cases like this end up in federal court.

“Malicious prosecution in state law is a pretty easy tort to prove,” he said.

“Why are we making a federal case out of this?” he ...