Page 133 - North Carolina 2020 Legal Guide

Task: Vehicle Pursuit-Force

Scott v. Harris, 550 U.S. 372 (2007).

• A police officer's attempt to terminate a dangerous high-speed car

chase that threatens the lives of innocent bystanders does not

violate the Fourth Amendment, even when it places the fleeing

motorist at risk of serious injury or death.

Plumhoff v. Rickard, 134 S. Ct. 2012 (U.S. 2014).

• An officer’s use of deadly force (shooting driver) to prevent the

continuation of a a dangerous high-speed and reckless pursuit did

not violate the 4 Amendment.
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• Even if there was a Constitutional violation, the law was not clearly

established thus the officers would be entitled to qualified immunity.

©2020 Jack Ryan Legal & Liability Risk Management Institute 132