No. 19-292October Term 2019Decided Mar 25, 2021Updated May 24, 2026
Torres v. Madrid
This case arose after New Mexico police officers shot Roxanne Torres as she tried to drive away, but she escaped for a time before being arrested later.
Case status
Decided 5-3 · March 25, 2021 · Opinion by Chief Justice Roberts
Read the opinion (PDF)- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Mar 25, 2021
- What it's about
This case arose after New Mexico police officers shot Roxanne Torres as she tried to drive away, but she escaped for a time before being arrested later. The Supreme Court considered whether being struck by police gunfire counts as a Fourth Amendment seizure even when the person is not immediately stopped or captured.
Question presented
Is an unsuccessful attempt to detain a suspect by use of physical force a "seizure" within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment, as the Eighth; Ninth, and Eleventh Circuits and the New Mexico Supreme Court hold, or must physical force be successful in detaining a suspect to constitute a "seizure," as the Tenth Circuit and the D.C. Court of Appeals hold?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit / Decision released Mar 25, 2021
- Area
Criminal Procedure
Timing
Decided March 25, 2021
The Court released its decision on March 25, 2021 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Activity
Docket activity3
Brief added: Questions Presented
May 24, 2026 | Court records
Opinion added: opinion
Mar 25, 2021 | Court records
Brief added: Petition
Aug 30, 2019 | Court records
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Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 25, 2026
- Method
- Methodology