No. 19-6657October Term 2019Decided May 18, 2020
Smith v. Scott
This case considers whether police officers are entitled to qualified immunity for using bodyweight pressure on a suspect before handcuffing them.
Case status
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released May 18, 2020
- What it's about
This case considers whether police officers are entitled to qualified immunity for using bodyweight pressure on a suspect before handcuffing them. It examines if this action violates clearly established Fourth Amendment rights.
Question presented
1. Whether police officers are entitled to qualified immunity for using bodyweight pressure on a suspect before handcuffing them. 2. Whether this action violates clearly established Fourth Amendment rights.
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit / Decision released May 18, 2020
- Area
Criminal Procedure
Timing
Decided May 18, 2020
The Court released its decision on May 18, 2020 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Mar 31, 2026
- Method
- Methodology