Police shooting immunity
Kisela v. Hughes
In brief
The Supreme Court overturned the Ninth Circuit's ruling and sent the case back to that court.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided · April 2, 2018 · Opinion by Justice Curiam
- What it’s about
- Police officer Andrew Kisela shot Amy Hughes while she was holding a knife; the dispute was whether the shooting violated clearly established law and denied him qualified immunity.
- Who it affects
- Hughes and Kisela's case returns to the Ninth Circuit for further proceedings.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Supreme Court overturned the Ninth Circuit’s decision and sent the case back to that court (remanded).
Kisela shot Hughes while she was holding a knife.
The case focused on whether the law clearly barred Kisela's use of force.
Question presented
Did Kisela's shooting of Hughes violate clearly established law, thus depriving him of qualified immunity?
What the Court decided
Holding
Petition for certiorari GRANTED, Judgment REVERSED and case REMANDED Justice Sotomayor, with whom Justice Ginsburg joins, dissenting. Opinion per curiam. (Detached Opinion )
- Result
- Reversed
The vote
- Majority author
- Per Curiam
- Dissenting
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor
What's next
The Ninth Circuit will take up the case again.
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Case data updated: summary, question_presented, generation_metadata
Case data updated: question_presented, extraction_metadata
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Opinion added: Kisela
Opinion added: Opinion
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.