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Los Angeles County v. Humphries

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
09-350 9th Cir. Oct 5, 2010 Nov 30, 2010 8-0 Breyer OT 2010

Holding: Under the Supreme Court's decision in Monell v. New York City Dep't of Social Services (1978), a plaintiff who sues a local government for civil rights violations under federal law must show that his injury was the result of a policy or custom of the local government to obtain an injunction or a declaratory judgment. (Kagan, J., recused).

Plain English Holding: A person suing a city for violation of her civil rights must show that her rights were violated by a city policy (rather than by the unauthorized conduct of a city employee) to obtain any relief against the city, even if the plaintiff is seeking only an injunction or a declaration that her rights were violated. (Kagan, J., recused).

Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 8-0, in an opinion by Justice Stephen Breyer on November 30, 2010. (Kagan, J., recused).

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Certiorari-Stage Documents

  • Opinion below (9th Circuit)
  • Petition for certiorari (unavailable)
  • Brief in opposition (unavailable)
  • Petitioner’s reply (unavailable)