Zorn v. Linton

The Supreme Court decided that Vermont State Police Sergeant Jacob Zorn was entitled to qualified immunity (a rule that can shield officers from damages suits when prior law was not clear). The case arose after Zorn used a wristlock to remove Shela Linton from a state capitol sit-in after she refused to leave.

The Court ruled 6–3, with Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Kavanaugh, Alito, Thomas, Barrett, and Gorsuch in the majority; Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson dissented.

The Court issued a per curiam opinion; a vote count and individual justice lineup were not stated.

The decision protects Zorn from Linton's excessive-force claim. It also affects officers and people alleging police misconduct when earlier cases do not closely match the facts of an encounter.

The Supreme Court has finished its action in this case. Any further proceedings must follow the Court's decision that Zorn is entitled to qualified immunity.

The Court decided that Sergeant Jacob Zorn was entitled to qualified immunity. That protects him from Linton's excessive-force damages claim.

Police officers facing force claims may benefit when no earlier case clearly addressed similar conduct. People suing officers may face a higher barrier in those circumstances.

The Supreme Court has completed its action. Any remaining lower-court proceedings must apply the qualified-immunity decision.