Plumhoff v. Rickard (572 U.S. 765)
U.S. Supreme Court · decided May 27, 2014 · Supreme Court Database (Spaeth)
- Citation
- 572 U.S. 765 · 134 S. Ct. 2012
- Decided
- May 27, 2014
- Term
- October Term 2013
- Vote
- 9–0
- Majority author
- Justice Alito
- Issue area
- Civil Rights
- Disposition
- Reversed and remanded
- Outcome
- Petitioning party won
- Ideological direction
- Conservative
Opinion excerpt
2. The officers' conduct did not violate the Fourth Amendment. Pp. 2020 - 2023. (a) Addressing this question first will be "beneficial" in "develop[ing] constitutional precedent" in an area that courts typically consider in cases in which the defendant asserts a qualified immunity defense, Pearson v. Callahan, 555 U.S. 223, 236, 129 S.Ct. 808, 172 L.Ed.2d 565. P. 2020. (b) Respondent's excessive-force argument requires analyzing the totality of the circumstances from the perspective "of a reasonable officer on the scene." Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 396, 109 S.Ct. 1865, 104 L.Ed.2d 443. Respondent contends that the Fourth Amendment did not allow the officers to use deadly force to terminate the chase, and that, even if they were permitted to fire their weapons, they went too far when they fired as many rounds as they did. Pp. 2021 - 2023. (1) The officers acted reasonably in using deadly force. A "police officer's attempt to terminate a dangerous high-speed car chase that threatens the lives of innocent bystanders does not violate the Fourth Amendment, even when it places the fleeing motorist at risk of serious injury or death." Scott, supra, at 385, 127 S.Ct. 1769. Rickard's outrageously reckless driving-which lasted more than five minutes, exceeded 100 miles per hour, and included the passing of more than two dozen other motorists-posed a grave public safety risk, and…
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