Alexander L. Baxter, Petitioner v. Brad Bracey, et al.

This case asked whether officers could get qualified immunity (protection from personal liability) after using a police dog on a suspect who had surrendered by sitting down with his hands up. On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court declined review and did not decide those questions on the merits, leaving the Sixth Circuit's result in place.

The case spotlighted how hard it can be for people to win civil rights suits against police officers when earlier cases are not closely matched on the facts. For example, someone claiming excessive force may still lose damages if a court says the law was not clearly established in a very similar situation.

There is no further Supreme Court action in this docket. Practically, the Sixth Circuit's result remains in effect because the Court chose not to hear the case.

The petition asked whether prior case law clearly banned using a police dog on a suspect who had surrendered by sitting with hands up. It also asked whether qualified immunity should be narrowed or abolished.

It leaves intact a lower-court result that shielded officers from damages even if their conduct may have violated the Constitution. That affects people trying to bring police excessive-force claims.

Nothing further happens at the Supreme Court in this case. The lower court's judgment stays in place because the justices did not agree to review it.