SCOTUS: High-Speed Chase Suspects can't Sue Police

SCOTUS: High-Speed Chase Suspects can't Sue Police

www.cnn.com

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday gave police officers significant protection from lawsuits by suspects who lead them on car chases.

The justices ruled 8-1 against Georgia teenager Victor Harris, who was left a quadriplegic after a police vehicle rammed his car off the road in 2001.

A police officer used "reasonable force" when ramming the teen's speeding car, the high court ruled. A videotape of the pursuit played a key role in the decision.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Good ruling, perhaps now those fleeing police will stop and think twice before running.

I always did hate it when they sued after the fact, even when they were injured in a vent pipe while trying to flee.

www.cnn.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

[edit on 4/30/2007 by shots]

I totally agree with that ruling, I've always wondered why people get into police chases, let them give you the fine, and if you disagree take it to court as simple as that.

Good. I am still concerned with the number of accidents and innocent people being hurt however.

Thank goodness, some good news, bout time. I cant believe that teen had the nerve to sue the police when he was running from the law, what a dumb#$@. For those who want history of the chase:

www.cnn.com...



[edit on 30-4-2007 by THE_PROFESSIONAL]

I am sort of in between on this, which sort of surprises me.

On the one hand, if you get hurt in a car chase, adn you are the one
leading them one one, well that really is sort of your fault.

On the other hand, I'm sure there are cases when the police involved
went overboard, and did undo damage, so the suspect should have the
right to sue in those cases.

Originally posted by iori_komei

On the one hand, if you get hurt in a car chase, adn you are the one
leading them one one, well that really is sort of your fault.

Sort of your fault???? surely you are kidding. Running from the police is against the law no matter how you look at it.

On the other hand, I'm sure there are cases when the police involved
went overboard, and did undo damage, so the suspect should have the
right to sue in those cases.

While I am sure there may be some cases that might be the case I doubt it is the norm. Just watch all the chases shown from CA On CNN FOX etc most if not all of those show that the officers go out of their way to avoid injury in fact just last week they called off one chase and the car had all four tires shot out when it entered a congested area.

iori_komei, the point here is that if this was allowed then everybody would be running from the police no matter how small the offense. You are not supposed to run from the police, even if you are right, and you know you did not do anything wrong, you still cant run.

What the Supreme court really needs to do is rule that anyone convicted of any crime cannot sue for anything that happened while committing the crime, then we would be in great shape.


[edit on 5/1/2007 by shots]