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Forrester v. White

United States Supreme Court

484 U.S. 219 (1988)

Facts

Judge Howard Lee White (defendant) fired Cynthia Forrester (plaintiff) from her position as a probation officer. Forrester sued, claiming that she had been terminated on the basis of her sex in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. A jury awarded Forrester money damages. The trial judge of that court overturned the jury verdict, ruling that White’s actions were protected by the doctrine of absolute immunity because of his position as a judge. The circuit court affirmed the ruling of the trial court. Forrester appealed to the United States Supreme Court.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (O’Connor, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
A summary of the majority or plurality opinion, using the CREAC method; and
The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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