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Article: COURT HEARS 'HITCHING POST' CASE
- Article from:
- United Press International
- Article date:
- April 17, 2002
CopyrightProvided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Court hears 'hitching post' case
WASHINGTON, Apr 17, 2002 (United Press International via COMTEX) -
- The Supreme Court heard argument Wednesday on the point at which
government officials -- in this case state prison guards -- cross
the line and can be held accountable for their actions.
Government officials often enjoy qualified immunity, protecting them
from lawsuits when they are carrying out their duties in a reasonable
manner. But the immunity is not absolute and government officials
are not allowed to act in a way that deprives someone of a constitutional
right.
In the case before the justices, an Alabama chain-gang member alleges
that he and hundreds of other ...