What is Qualified Immunity?

Qualified immunity is a legal doctrine that shields government officials from liability in civil lawsuits when they violate a person's constitutional rights, unless the rights in question were "clearly established" at the time of the violation. This means that for a plaintiff to succeed in a lawsuit against a public official, they must demonstrate that the official's actions were not only unlawful but also that a reasonable person in the official's position would have known that their conduct was violating established rights. The doctrine aims to protect officials from the burdens of litigation while allowing for accountability in cases of egregious misconduct. However, it has been the subject of significant debate and criticism regarding its impact on civil rights and police accountability.