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Connick v. Thompson

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
09-571 5th Cir. Oct 6, 2010 Mar 29, 2011 5-4 Thomas OT 2010

Holding: A district attorney's office cannot be held liable under Section 1983 for a failure to train its prosecutors based on a single Brady violation.

Plain English Holding: A district attorney's office cannot be held liable for failing to train its prosecutors when the plaintiff proves only a single violation that has allegedly arisen from the inadequate training.

Judgment: Fifth Circuit reversed, 5-4, in an opinion by Justice Thomas on March 29, 2011. Justice Scalia joined the majority opinion and also wrote a concurrence, joined by Justice Alito, responding to the dissent. Justice Ginsburg dissented, joined by Justices Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan.

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Briefs and Documents

Merits Briefs

Amicus Briefs

Certiorari-Stage Documents

  • Ruling denying retrial below and judgment below (District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana; 5th Circuit en banc panel split evenly, affirming the district court decision)
  • Petition for certiorari (unavailable)
  • Brief in opposition (unavailable)
  • Petitioner’s reply (unavailable)
  • Amicus brief of the National District Attorneys Association (unavailable)
  • Amicus brief of Orleans Parish Assistant District Attorneys (unavailable)