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Law Enforcement, Corrections,
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Risk Management

Use-of-Force Recipient Status Matrix
Copyright 2001 by LAAW International, Inc.  All rights reserved.

Force Recipient

Free Person

Pre-Trial Detainee

Incarcerated and
Convicted Person

Seized Person - 4th Amendment

Not Seized Person
Under 4th Amendment

Consitutional Amendment

4th Amendment

5th Amendment - Federal Officers
14th Amendment - State Officers

8th Amendment

Use-of-Force
Standard

Objective Reasonableness Test

Due Process Clause
Shock the Conscience Test

Cruel & Unusual Punishment

Leading Cases

Graham v. Conner, 490 U.S. 386, 104 L.Ed.2d 443, 109 S.Ct. 1865 (1989); Tennessee v. Garner, 471 U.S. 1, 105 S.Ct. 1694, 85 L.Ed.2d 1 (1985); Brower v. County of Inyo, 489 U.S. 593, 109 S.Ct. 1378, 103 L.Ed.2d 628 (1989); Chew v. Gates, 27 F.3d 1432 (9th Cir. 1994).

County of Sacramento v Lewis, 523 U.S. 833, 118 S.Ct. 1708, 140 L.Ed.2d 1043 (1998); Johnson v Glick, 481 F.2d 1028 (2d Cir. 1973), cert denied, 414 U.S. 1033, 94 S.Ct. 462, 38 L.Ed.2d 324 (1973) Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 520, 99 S.Ct. 1861, 60 L.Ed.2d. 447 (1979); Rochin v. California, 342 U.S. 165, 72 S.Ct. 205, 96 L.Ed.2d 183 (1952).

See also Brothers v. Klevenhagen, 28 F.3d 452 (5th Cir. 1994); Valencia v. Wiggins, 981 F.2d 1440 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 509 U.S. 905, 113 S.Ct. 2998, 125 L.Ed.2d 691 (1993).

Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S. 1, 112 S.Ct. 995, 117 L.Ed.2d 156 (1992); Wilson v. Seiter, 501 U.S. 294, 111 S.Ct. 2321, 115 L.Ed.2d 271 (1991); Whitley v. Albers, 475 U.S. 312, 106 S.Ct. 1078, 89 L.Ed.­2d 251 (1986); Es­telle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 97 S.Ct. 285, 50 L.Ed.2d 251 (1976)

Use-of-Force Test Parameters

-Are the officers' actions "objectively reasonable" in light of the facts and circumstances confronting them, without regard to their underlying intent of motivation?

- Reasonableness is determined by balancing the nature and quality of the intrusion with the countervailing governmental interests.

- Reasonableness contemplates consideration of the facts of the incident, including:

1.     Is the suspect an immediate threat to officers and/or others?

2.     Is the suspect actively resisting seizure?

3.     Are the circumstances tense, uncertain, and/or rapidly evolving?

4.     What is the severity of the crime(s) at issue?

5.     Is the suspect attempting to evade seizure by flight?

County of Sacramento v. Lewis - A police officer does not violate substantive due process by causing death through deliberate or reckless indifference to life in a high-speed automobile chase aimed at apprehending a suspected offender.  Holding - in such circumstances, "only a purpose to cause harm unrelated to the legitimate object of arrest will satisfy the element of arbitrary conduct shocking to the conscience, necessary for a due process violation."

Johnson v. Glick - Four-Part "Shock the Conscience Test"
1.     The need for the use of force;

2.     The relationship between that need and the amount of force that was used;

3.     The extent of the injuries inflicted; and

4.     Whether the force applied was in good faith or maliciously and sadistically for the purpose of causing harm.

Whitley held that only an "unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain" and "actions taken in bad faith and for no legitimate purpose" are a cruel and unusual punishment.  Hudson stated that the Whitley standard applies in both prison-riot and non-riot contexts.  Hudson also held that all excessive force claims must show malice, sadism, and intent to cause harm.Hudson also held the 5th Circuit's "significant injury" requirement was improper under the 8th Amendment analysis.