Egbert v. Boule
United States Supreme Court
596 U.S. 482 (2022)
- Written by Eric Miller, JD
Facts
Robert Boule (plaintiff) operated a bed-and-breakfast on the United States side of the United States-Canada border. Boule informed the United States Border Patrol of a suspicious guest. During an encounter with the guest, Border Patrol agent Erik Egbert (defendant) also had an apparent altercation with Boule during which, as Boule later alleged, Egbert threw Boule against an SUV and onto the ground. Boule brought suit against Egbert in federal district court over two alleged violations of the United States Constitution: an excessive-force claim under the Fourth Amendment and a retaliation claim under the First Amendment. Boule’s claims relied on Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents, a United States Supreme Court decision holding that private individuals could pursue damages actions against federal officials for constitutional violations. The district court declined to extend Bivens to Boule’s claims and entered judgment for Egbert. The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed. The case was appealed to the Supreme Court.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Thomas, J.)
Concurrence (Gorsuch, J.)
Concurrence/Dissent (Sotomayor, J.)
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