McDonough v. Smith
Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
18-485 | 2d Cir. | Apr 17, 2019 | Jun 20, 2019 | 6-3 | Sotomayor | OT 2018 |
Holding: The statute of limitations for Edward McDonough's 42 U.S.C. § 1983 fabricated-evidence claim against his prosecutor began to run when the criminal proceedings against him terminated in his favor, that is, when he was acquitted at the end of his second trial.
Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 6-3, in an opinion by Justice Sotomayor on June 20, 2019. Justice Thomas filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justices Kagan and Gorsuch joined.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Opinion analysis: Fabricated-evidence claims accrue only on favorable termination of prosecution (Howard M. Wasserman, June 20, 2019)
- A "view" from the courtroom: "Quite prolific in our writing" (Mark Walsh, June 20, 2019)
- Argument analysis: Spinning heads and swimming constitutional rights in debates over an accrual rule (Howard M. Wasserman, April 18, 2019)
- Argument preview: Searching for an accrual rule when the government fabricates evidence in a criminal proceeding (Howard M. Wasserman, April 10, 2019)
- Eight new grants, Ginsburg recovery from surgery "on track" (Amy Howe, January 11, 2019)