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District of Columbia v. Carter

409 U.S. 418, 93 S. Ct. 602, 34 L. Ed. 2d 613 (1973)

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District of Columbia v. Carter

United States Supreme Court
409 U.S. 418, 93 S. Ct. 602, 34 L. Ed. 2d 613 (1973)

Facts

Carter (plaintiff) was arrested without probable cause by John R. Carlson (defendant), a District of Columbia police officer. Carlson beat Carter with brass knuckles while two other police officers held Carter. Carter sued Carlson in federal district court pursuant to both common-law tort theory and 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Carter also sued the precinct captain, the police chief, and the District of Columbia (district) (defendants), alleging negligent failure to train and supervise Carlson. The district court dismissed Carter’s complaint. The court of appeals reversed, holding that the allegations in the complaint were sufficient to state a cause of action pursuant to both theories of liability and that acts engaged in under the law of the district are acts engaged in under color of state law for purposes of § 1983. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Brennan, J.)

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