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No. 23-50October Term 2023Decided Jun 20, 2024

Docket 23-50October Term 2023 (2023–2024)

Chiaverini v. City of Napoleon, Ohio

The Supreme Court ruled that a Fourth Amendment malicious prosecution claim can proceed regarding a baseless criminal charge, even if other valid charges supported by probable cause were brought at the same time.

Case status

Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released Jun 20, 2024
Case AcceptedDec 13, 2023
Arguments HeardApr 15, 2024
Decision ReleasedJun 20, 2024
What it's about

The Supreme Court ruled that a Fourth Amendment malicious prosecution claim can proceed regarding a baseless criminal charge, even if other valid charges supported by probable cause were brought at the same time. The Court rejected a lower court's rule that the presence of probable cause for any single charge automatically defeats a malicious prosecution claim for other baseless charges.

Question presented

May a Fourth Amendment malicious-prosecution claim proceed as to a baseless criminal charge so long as other charges brought alongside the baseless charge are supported by probable cause?

Case path

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit / Decision released Jun 20, 2024

Area

Criminal Procedure