Identify the two elements of the qualified immunity defense, and explain why the test is so easy for officers to pass

What will be an ideal response?


The qualified immunity defense to federal constitutional tort claims against police officers has two elements:
(1) The officers' actions must meet the test of objective legal reasonableness.
(2) Reasonableness is measured by legal rules "clearly established at the time the officers acted.".

This test is easy for officers to pass, since the officers' acts do not have to be correct but only reasonable given the law at the time. The reason for creating this easy test is to protect officers' broad discretion to do their jobs and keep them from being sued in frivolous lawsuits.

Criminal Justice

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a. It is a type of antisocial behavior associated with violence. b. It increases as grade level increases. c. It is more common in public schools than in private schools.

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The idea that the reason for spousal abuse is found in the structure of society because there is a power differential between men and women is indicative of:

a. Learned helplessness perspective b. Feminist perspective c. Cycle of violence perspective d. None of the above

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The "high" or the excitement/exhilaration of successfully executing illegal activities in dangerous situations is referred to as a. riskwork

b. edgework. c. buzzwork. d. thrillwork.

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Mandatory sentencing laws and truth-in-sentencing laws in some states have contributed to

a. decreases in average maximum sentence length imposed b. increases in average maximum sentence length imposed c. decreases in time served d. increases in time served

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