Donald Saucier v. Elliot M. Katz and in Defense of Animals

Summary

The Court reversed the Ninth Circuit, holding that qualified immunity analysis requires a sequential two-step inquiry distinct from the merits of the underlying constitutional claim. The Court ordered courts to first decide if a constitutional right was violated before determining if the right was clearly established. Justice Ginsburg concurred in the judgment but argued the separate immunity inquiry was duplicative in excessive force cases.