No. 25-7550October Term 2025Before Arguments
Kimberly Diane Settle, as Personal Representative for the Estate of Jacob Joseph Settle, Sr., Petitioner v. David Collier
from the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Case status
- Current stage
- Before Arguments
- Latest event
- Accepted by the Court
- Decision timing
- No window until argument is scheduled.
- What it's about
from the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Question presented
1. In an interlocutory qualified immunity appeal, may a court of appeals uphold deadly force by relying on predictive theories and inferred risks not supported by the evidentiary record? 2. Whether appellate courts may resolve genuine disputes of material fact in excessive-force cases by re-weighing the evidence under the guise of “common sense.”?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit / Accepted by the Court
- Area
Supreme Court case awaiting argument
Timing
Expected by late June 2026, if argued this term
The Court granted review but has not yet scheduled oral argument. Once argued, the median case reaches a decision in 94 days. Nearly all cases are decided by the end of the term in which they are argued.
Briefing
What it's about
Jacob Settle Sr.'s estate is asking the Supreme Court to review an Eleventh Circuit decision in a case over whether an officer used too much force. The petition says the appeals court backed deadly force by relying on predicted risks and by re-weighing disputed evidence instead of sticking to the record.
Argument
No oral argument is scheduled yet. The petition asks whether appeals courts may uphold deadly force based on predicted risks not supported by the evidence and by re-weighing contested facts.
Impact
If appeals judges can infer dangers that the evidence does not clearly show, families challenging deadly force may lose before a jury hears disputed facts. The case could also affect how often officers receive qualified immunity (a rule that can shield officers from civil lawsuits).
What is at stake in Settle v. Collier?
The petition asks whether an appeals court can back an officer's deadly force by inferring dangers not supported by the record. It also asks whether judges may re-weigh disputed evidence using "common sense."
Who could be affected by Settle v. Collier?
Families challenging police deadly force and officers defending civil lawsuits could both be affected. The case could shape whether disputed facts reach a jury.
What happens next in Settle v. Collier?
The next sign is whether the Supreme Court agrees to hear the case or makes another scheduling move. No oral argument date or decision window is available yet.
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary materials plus reporting.
- Note
- Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 23, 2026
- Method
- Methodology