Supreme Court Revives Suit Against Rogue Guard in Immunity Case

The Supreme Court revived a case Monday brought by a Texas inmate involving qualified immunity—the legal principle that protects law enforcement from civil liability.

The inmate claims that his Eighth Amendment right against cruel and unusual punishment was violated by a prison guard who allegedly maced him for no reason.

The justices vacated a ruling against the inmate and asked the lower court to take another look.

Qualified immunity is a judge-made doctrine that aims to keep public employees from answering for alleged rights violations. It specifically prevents alleged victims from suing government officials where the constitutional right wasn’t “clearly ...