Justices Turn Down Trio of Qualified Immunity Doctrine Cases (2)

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected three separate appeals involving the controversial doctrine of “qualified immunity,” which shields government officials from liability for alleged rights violations—even egregious ones.

Advocates across the political spectrum have been clamoring for the court to curtail or even eliminate the doctrine that they say too often deprives civil rights plaintiffs of the ability to challenge abusive behavior by police and other public officials.

Officials can receive immunity from suit if their alleged actions weren’t “clearly established” violations of constitutional rights. That’s had the effect of keeping even the most seemingly outlandish conduct out of court, so ...