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Kingsley v. Hendrickson

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
14-6368 7th Cir. Apr 27, 2015 Jun 22, 2015 5-4 Breyer OT 2014

Holding: To prove an excessive force claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a pretrial detainee must show only that the officers" use of that force was objectively unreasonable; he does not need to show that the officers were subjectively aware that their use of force was unreasonable.

Judgment: Vacated and remanded, 5-4, in an opinion by Justice Breyer on June 22, 2015. Justice Scalia filed a dissenting opinion, in which Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Thomas joined. Justice Alito filed a dissenting opinion.

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
07/02/2014Application (14A11) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from July 17, 2014 to August 18, 2014, submitted to Justice Kagan.
07/02/2014Application (14A11) granted by Justice Kagan extending the time to file until August 18, 2014.
08/18/2014Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due October 23, 2014)
10/10/2014Waiver of right of respondents Stan Hendrickson, et al. to respond filed.
10/23/2014DISTRIBUTED for Conference of November 7, 2014.
10/28/2014Response Requested . (Due November 28, 2014)
11/24/2014Order extending time to file response to petition to and including December 5, 2014.
12/04/2014Brief of respondents Stan Hendrickson, et al. in opposition filed.
12/17/2014Reply of petitioner Michael B. Kingsley filed. (Distributed)
12/18/2014DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 9, 2015.
01/12/2015DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 16, 2015.
01/16/2015Motion to proceed in forma pauperis and petition for a writ of certiorari GRANTED.
02/10/2015Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the petitioner.
02/19/2015Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the respondents.
03/02/2015Brief of petitioner Michael B. Kingsley filed.
03/02/2015Joint appendix filed.
03/06/2015SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Monday, April 27, 2015
03/06/2015Brief amicus curiae of The Rutherford Institute filed. (Distributed)
03/09/2015Brief amici curiae of Former Corrections Administrators and Experts filed.
03/09/2015Brief amici curiae of American Civil Liberties Union, et al. filed.
03/09/2015Brief amicus curiae of The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers filed.
03/09/2015Brief amici curiae of National Sheriffs' Association et al. filed (REPRINTED). (Distributed)
03/16/2015CIRCULATED.
03/17/2015Record requested from U.S.C.A. 7th Circuit.
03/17/2015Brief amicus curiae of the United States supporting affirmance filed. (Distributed)
03/17/2015Record from U.S.C.A. 7th Circuit is electronic and located on PACER.
03/24/2015Record received from U.S.D.C. Western Dist. of Wisconsin is electronic and SEALED.
04/01/2015Brief of respondents Stan Hendrickson, et al. filed. (Distributed)
04/08/2015Brief amici curiae of National Association of Counties, et al. filed. (Distributed)
04/08/2015Brief amici curiae of Indiana, et al. filed. (Distributed)
04/08/2015Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed.
04/17/2015Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED.
04/17/2015Reply of petitioner Michael B. Kingsley filed. (Distributed)
04/27/2015Argued. For petitioner: Wendy M. Ward, Madison, Wis. For United States as amicus curiae: John F. Bash, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. For respondents: Paul D. Clement, Washington, D. C.
06/22/2015Judgment VACATED and case REMANDED. Breyer, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Kennedy, Ginsburg, Sotomayor, and Kagan, JJ., joined. Scalia, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Roberts, C. J., and Thomas, J., joined. Alito, J., filed a dissenting opinion.
07/24/2015JUDGMENT ISSUED.