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No. 25-297October Term 2025Decided Mar 23, 2026

Docket 25-297October Term 2025 (2025–2026)

Zorn v. Linton

The Court held that a Vermont state police sergeant was entitled to qualified immunity after using a wristlock to remove a protester who refused to leave the state capitol during a sit-in.

Case status

Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released Mar 23, 2026
Case Accepted
Arguments
Decision ReleasedMar 23, 2026
What it's about

The Court held that a Vermont state police sergeant was entitled to qualified immunity after using a wristlock to remove a protester who refused to leave the state capitol during a sit-in. The case concerns whether the officer could be sued for excessive force when prior case law had not clearly established that this specific conduct violated the Fourth Amendment.

Question presented

Whether the Second Circuit’s qualified immunity analysis conflicts with this Court’s repeated instruction that courts must define rights with specificity and look for close factual analogues in determining whether a Fourth Amendment right is clearly established.

Case path

United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit / Decision released Mar 23, 2026

Area

Criminal Procedure

Grounding

Grounding
Primary-source trail available.
Note
Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
Checked
Jun 15, 2026
Primary materials4