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Questioning The Need For Qualified Immunity

By Steve Kraske,

Published November 9, 2020 at 4:12 PM CST

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In June 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear cases involving qualified immunity. Justice Clarence Thomas dissented, saying the "qualified immunity doctrine appears to stray from the statutory text."

Rethinking the policy that shields police and government officials from civil lawsuits

Qualified immunity is a legal principle created by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1982. Now some are wondering if its use has been expanded beyond its original intent including two U.S. Supreme Court Justices asking the court to reconsider it.

Lumen Mulligan, Earl B. Shurtz Research Professor of Law at the University of Kansas

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Chris Young

Chris Young is an Assistant Producer for KCUR’s Up To Date. Contact him at chrisy@kcur.org.

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Mackenzie Martin

Mackenzie Martin is a senior podcast producer at KCUR Studios and host of the podcast, A People's History of Kansas City. Contact her at mackenzie@kcur.org.

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