County liability for rights violations
Los Angeles County v. Craig Arthur Humphries
In brief
People seeking a court order against a local government must meet the same policy-or-custom rule as people seeking money, and the Supreme Court overturned the Ninth Circuit’s contrary ruling.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided · November 30, 2010 · Opinion by Justice Breyer
- What it’s about
- Craig and Wendy Humphries sought a court declaration against Los Angeles County, which argued that they had to show a county policy or custom caused the alleged constitutional violation.
- Who it affects
- People seeking court orders against local governments under federal civil-rights law must meet the policy-or-custom requirement.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Supreme Court ruled that this requirement applies even when people seek non-money relief, overturned the Ninth Circuit’s ruling, and sent the case back to the lower court (remanded).
The dispute was whether the rules for suing a local government change when a person asks for a court order instead of money.
Question presented
Are claims for declaratory relief against a local public entity subject to the requirement of Monell that the plaintiff must demonstrate that the constitutional violation was the result of the policy, custom, or practice attributable to the local public entity; or are such claims exempt as determined by the Ninth Circuit?
What the Court decided
Holding
Monell’ s “policy or custom” requirement applies in §1983 cases irrespective of whether the relief sought is monetary or prospective. Reversed and remanded.
- Result
- Reversed
The Court's reasoning
The Court said the policy-or-custom rule applies in federal civil-rights cases whether a person seeks money or a forward-looking court order.
The vote
- Majority author
- Stephen G. Breyer
What's next
The case goes back to the Ninth Circuit for further proceedings under the Supreme Court’s ruling.
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Docket activity
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Case data updated: question_presented, extraction_metadata
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Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.