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Zorn v. Linton

Docket No. Op. BelowArgument Opinion Vote Author Term
25-297 2d Cir. Not Argued Mar 23, 2026 6-3 Per Curiam OT 2025

Holding: Because the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit failed to identify a case where an officer using a routine wristlock on a protester after issuing a verbal warning, without more, was held to have violated the Constitution, Sergeant Jacob Zorn was entitled to qualified immunity; the 2nd Circuit’s contrary conclusion was erroneous.

Judgment: Reversed in a per curiam opinion on March 23, 2026. Justice Sotomayor wrote a dissenting opinion, joined by Justices Kagan and Jackson.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
09/11/2025Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due October 15, 2025)
09/16/2025Waiver of right of respondent Shela M. Linton to respond filed.
10/01/2025DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 10/17/2025.
10/02/2025Response Requested. (Due November 3, 2025)
11/03/2025Brief of respondent Shela M. Linton in opposition filed.
11/14/2025Reply of petitioner Jacob P. Zorn filed. (Distributed)
11/18/2025DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 12/5/2025.
12/08/2025DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 12/12/2025.
01/05/2026DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/9/2026.
01/12/2026DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/16/2026.
01/20/2026DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/23/2026.
02/13/2026DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/20/2026.
02/23/2026DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/27/2026.
02/27/2026Record Requested.
03/02/2026DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/6/2026.
03/02/2026Electronic record received from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
03/02/2026Electronic record received from the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont.
03/16/2026DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/20/2026.
03/23/2026Petition GRANTED. Judgment REVERSED. Opinion per curiam. (Detached Opinion) Justice Sotomayor, with whom Justice Kagan and Justice Jackson join, dissenting. (Detached Opinion)