Court Revives Wrongful Detention Claim Against Campus Police Officers

Strategic Insights -

A federal appeals court has reinstated a wrongful detention claim against two campus police officers who allegedly detained a student for an hour, attempting to convince him to take a COVID-19 vaccine and disparaging his religious beliefs. The decision by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules that the officers acted under color of state law, making them subject to liability under 42 U.S.C. 1983.

Key Takeaways:

  • The plaintiff, a former graduate student, objected to taking the COVID-19 vaccine on religious grounds, but was allegedly detained by campus police officers for an hour at the campus police station.
  • The court ruled that the plaintiff has plausibly alleged a violation of his Fourth Amendment rights, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.
  • The officers, employed by a Catholic university's police department, acted under color of state law and are therefore subject to liability under 1983.
  • The court reinstated the plaintiff's wrongful detention claim, but affirmed the dismissal of his free exercise, equal protection, and disability discrimination claims.
  • The case is Warman v. Mount St. Joseph Univ.; MiLW No. 01-109499.

Statistics:

  • The student was detained for an hour by the campus police officers.
  • 42 U.S.C. 1983 is a federal law that provides a cause of action for the deprivation of rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
  • The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the plaintiff, reinstating his wrongful detention claim.

Sources:

  • Warman v. Mount St. Joseph Univ.; MiLW No. 01-109499
  • Opinions of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit: https://www.opn.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf/25a0188p-06.pdf