britton argued december decided may held appeals erred fashioning heightened burden proof cases public officials pp adopted clear convincing evidence requirement deal potentially serious problem official state mind easy allege hard disprove insubstantial claims turning improper intent may less amenable summary disposition types claims government officials standard intended protect public servants bur dens trial discovery may impair performance official duties pp harlow holding support imposition heightened proof standard plaintiff affirmative case harlow found president senior aides advisers protected qualified immunity standard permit defeat insubstantial claims without resort trial announced single objective standard judging defense shielding officials liability civil damages insofar conduct violate clearly established statutory constitutional rights reasonable person known eliminated subjective standard put forth wood strickland bare allegations malice rebut defense however evidence concerning defendant subjective intent although irrelevant qualified immunity defense may essential component plaintiff affirmative case since harlow holding related scope affirmative defense provides support making change nature plaintiff burden proving constitutional violation pp one reason implicit harlow public justification special burdens plaintiffs allege unlawful motive two reasons underlying harlow strong public interest protecting officials costs damages actions best served defense permitting insubstantial lawsuits quickly terminated allegations subjective motivation might used shield baseless suits summary provide support type procedural rule adopted appeals however countervailing concerns indicate balance struck context defining affirmative defense appropriate evaluating elements plaintiff cause action initially important distinction bare allegations malice provided basis rebutting qualified immunity defense wood specific allegations intent essential elements certain constitutional claims latter instance example primary emphasis intent disadvantage members class includes plaintiff deter public comment specific issue public importance possible animus directed plaintiff moreover existing law already prevents narrow element unconstitutional motive automatically carrying plaintiff trial summary judgment may available doubt illegality defendant particular conduct least certain claims must evidence causation well proof improper motive unlike subjective component immunity defense eliminated harlow improper intent element various causes action ordinarily preclude summary disposition insubstantial claims pp without precedential grounding changing burden proof entire category claims stray far traditional limits judicial authority neither text federal statute federal rules civil procedure provide support imposing clear convincing burden proof appeals unprecedented change lacks pedigree alters cause action way undermines provide remedy violation federal rights consistently declined similar invitations revise established rules separate qualified immunity defense see gomez toledo extent appeals concerned preventing discovery questions frequently effectively resolved rulemaking legislative process moreover indirect effort regulate discovery employs blunt instrument high cost also imposes heightened standard proof trial upon plaintiffs bona fide constitutional claims congress already fashioned special rules discourage inmates insubstantial suits prison litigation reform act draws distinction constitutional claims require proof improper motive compelling need frame new rules based distinction presumably congress done respond future legislation pp existing procedures available federal trial judges use handling claims involve examination official state mind pp vacated remanded stevens delivered opinion kennedy souter ginsburg breyer joined kennedy filed concurring opinion rehnquist filed dissenting opinion joined scalia filed dissenting opinion thomas joined notice opinion subject formal revision publication preliminary print reports readers requested notify reporter decisions washington typographical formal errors order corrections may made preliminary print goes press leonard rollon petitioner patricia britton writ certiorari appeals district columbia circuit may justice stevens delivered opinion petitioner prison inmate seeks damages corrections officer based constitutional claim requires proof improper motive broad question presented whether courts appeals may craft special procedural rules cases protect public servants burdens trial discovery may impair performance official duties specific question whether least cases brought prisoners plaintiff must adduce clear convincing evidence improper motive order defeat motion summary judgment petitioner serving life sentence district columbia correctional system confinement filed several lawsuits assisted prisoners cases also provided interviews reporters written news stories prison conditions litigious outspoken prisoner events gave rise case occurred overcrowding district columbia prison lorton virginia petitioner inmates transferred county jail spokane washington thereafter moved first washington state prison later facility cameron missouri next back lorton petersburg virginia ultimately federal prison marianna florida three boxes containing personal belongings including legal materials transferred separately district columbia department corrections received boxes washington state facility respondent district correctional officer asked petitioner pick rather sending directly petitioner next destination boxes ultimately shipped marianna petitioner mother petitioner expense initially denied permission receive sent outside official prison channels finally recovered property several months arrival florida petitioner contends respondent deliberately misdirected boxes punish exercising first amendment rights deter similar conduct future beyond generalized allegations respondent hostility alleges specific incidents protected speech provoked claimed injury caused delay receiving boxes includes costs boxes shipped purchasing new clothes items interim well mental emotional distress respondent denies retaliatory motive asserts entrusted property petitioner also district columbia corrections employee order ensure prompt safe delivery although factual dispute relatively simple engendered litigation protracted complex shall briefly describe proceedings led en banc appeals decision reviewing summarize decision early proceedings petitioner filed suit respondent district columbia seeking damages principal theory advanced original complaint respondent diverted boxes containing legal materials order interfere constitutional right access courts prior discovery respondent relying part qualified immunity defense moved dismissal complaint summary judgment motion denied respondent appealed arguing first complaint allege violation constitutional right clearly established time acts second complaint failed satisfy pleading standard circuit applies damage actions government officials cadc appeals agreed petitioner constitutional right access courts well established allegations wrongful intent sufficiently detailed specific withstand motion dismiss even circuit heightened pleading standard id concluded however allegations actual injury ability litigate insufficient standard accordingly complaint dismissed contours pleading standard clarified decision announced case appeal see hunter district columbia cadc concluded petitioner allowed replead remand petitioner filed amended complaint adding detail support access claim also adding two new claims due process claim claim respondent alleged diversion property motivated intent retaliate exercising first amendment rights district dismissed amended complaint access claim due process claim legally insufficient first amendment retaliation claim allege direct evidence unconstitutional motive supp dc dismissal effect mandated prior decisions appeals holding allegations circumstantial evidence motivation insufficient withstand motion dismiss see martin metropolitan police department siegert gilley aff grounds en banc proceeding panel appeals affirmed dismissal first two claims suggested entire review dismissal first amendment retaliation claim accordingly en banc ordered parties file briefs addressing five specific questions two concerned power circuit supplement federal rules civil procedure special pleading requirements plaintiffs bringing civil rights claims government officials two concerned possible special grounds granting defense motions summary judgment cases unlawfulness depends actor unconstitutional motive fifth question asked parties whether alternative devices protect defendants qualified immunity cases constitutional tort depending defendant motive intent costs litigation app pet cert en banc responded questions five separate opinions majority judges appear agreed four propositions case remanded district proceedings plaintiff satisfy heightened pleading requirement may rely circumstantial well direct evidence order prevail case plaintiff must establish motive clear convincing evidence special procedures protect defendants costs litigation cases required reasoning opinion harlow fitzgerald primary opinion written judge williams announced two principal conclusions first think harlow allows official get summary judgment resolution qualified immunity issue including question official state mind plaintiff engaged discovery issue second believe unless plaintiff offers clear convincing evidence issue summary judgment trial judgment directed verdict appropriate granted individual defendant cadc judge silberman criticized judge williams approach confusing suggested harlow reasoning pointed straightforward solution opinion whenever defendant asserts legitimate motive action objective inquiry pretextuality allowed facts establish purported motivation reasonable defendant entitled qualified immunity ibid judge ginsburg agreed decision impose clear convincing standard proof unconstitutional motive issue accept judge williams new requirement district must grant summary judgment prior discovery unless plaintiff already hand sufficient evidence satisfy standard described innovation rather bold intrusion district management process result defeat meritorious claims invite increase number constitutional torts committed ibid allow limited discovery proper showing ruling summary judgment motion noted cases involving qualified immunity abuse discretion trial judge fail consider interests parties also social costs associated discovery government official id reference case hand expressed view petitioner show discovery might reveal already appeared record summary judgment appro priate without discovery id judge henderson fully endorsed plurality new clear convincing evidence standard thought mistake colleagues hear case en banc record already made abundantly clear petitioner claim merit id chief judge edwards joined four judges criticized majority line adjudication legislation quoting frankfurter reflections reading statutes colum rev expressed view new evidentiary standards unauthorized statute precedent make certain entire category constitutional tort claims government never able survive defendant assertion qualified immunity ibid different views expressed five opinions attest importance underlying issue correct understanding relationship holding harlow fitzgerald plaintiff burden entitlement relief depends proof improper motive despite relative unimportance facts particular case therefore decided grant certiorari ii appeals requirement clear convincing evidence improper motive latest effort address potentially serious problem official state mind easy allege hard disprove insubstantial claims turn improper intent may less amenable summary disposition types claims government officials category claims therefore implicates obvious concerns social costs subjecting public officials discovery trial well liability damages courts appeals also grappled problem none adopted heightened burden proof see edwards concurring judgment citing cases new rule established case limited suits prisoners local officials applies classes plaintiffs bringing damages actions government official whether federal state local see butz economou heightened burden proof applies moreover wide array different federal law claims official motive necessary element claims race gender discrimination violation equal protection clause cruel unusual punishment violation eighth amendment termination employment based political affiliation violation first amendment well retaliation exercise free speech constitutional rights bare majority appeals regarded sweeping rule necessary corollary opinion harlow course important difference holding case reasoning supports holding shall therefore begin explaining holding harlow resolve issue presented even address question concerning plaintiff affirmative case shall consider whether reasoning opinion nevertheless supports conclusion reached peals harlow specific holding ernest fitzgerald testified congressional subcommittee technical difficulties excessive costs incurred development new transport plane testimony widely reported evidently embarrassed superiors department defense job management analyst department air force eliminated departmental reorganization reduction force nixon fitzgerald conclusion extended proceedings civil service commission fitzgerald filed suit president aides alleging eliminated job retaliation testimony sought damages statutory grounds direct action constitution charges reviewed considered defendants claims immunity two separate opinions nixon fitzgerald held former president entitled absolute immunity damages liability predicated conduct within scope official duties id harlow fitzgerald held senior aides advisors president entitled absolute immunity instead protected qualified immunity standard permit defeat insubstantial claims without resort trial definition qualified immunity standard informed three propositions established earlier cases first gomez toledo held qualified immunity affirmative defense burden pleading rests defendant second butz economou determined scope de fense actions state officials actions federal officials federal constitution types actions courts competent determine appropriate level immunity third scheuer rhodes presumed defense protects officers executive branch government performing discretionary functions held presumption rebuttable actual scope defense subject debate within wood strickland case involving constitutional claim members school board bare majority case concluded plaintiff overcome defense qualified immunity two different ways either defendant knew reasonably known action took within sphere official responsibility violate constitutional rights student affected took action malicious intention cause deprivation constitutional rights injury student dissent justice powell argued majority standard demanding public officials proposed standard like majority included objective subjective component view opinion scheuer established standard whether light discretion responsibilities office circumstances appeared time officer acted reasonably good faith id emphasis added harlow reached consensus proper formulation standard judging defense qualified immunity speaking justice powell announced single objective standard consistently balance aimed butz conclude today bare allegations malice suffice subject government officials either costs trial burdens discovery therefore hold government officials performing discretionary functions generally shielded liability civil damages insofar conduct violate clearly established statutory constitutional rights reasonable person known standard defense qualified immunity may rebutted evidence defendant conduct malicious otherwise improperly motivated evidence concerning defendant subjective intent simply irrelevant defense holding bare allegations malice overcome qualified immunity defense implicate elements plaintiff initial burden proving constitutional violation obvious course bare allegations malice suffice establish constitutional claim equally clear essential element constitutional claims charge defendant conduct improperly motivated example ernest fitzgerald constitutional claims president nixon aides based theory retaliated speaking matter public concern consideration immunity issues nixon case harlow assumed fitzgerald entitled prevail immunity defenses thus although evidence proper motive irrelevant issue qualified immunity may essential component plaintiff affirmative case holding harlow related scope affirmative defense provides support making change nature plaintiff burden proving constitutional violation nevertheless en banc ruling makes change plaintiff cause action clear convincing evidence requirement applies plaintiff showing improper intent pure issue fact separate qualified immunity question whether official alleged conduct violated clearly established law essentially legal question mitchell forsyth see gomez never indicated qualified immunity relevant existence plaintiff cause action indeed heightened proof standard logically govern even official never asserts immunity defense see rule required holding harlow reasoning harlow two reasons explicit opinion harlow together third implicit holding amply justified harlow reformulation qualified immunity defense first strong public interest protecting public officials costs associated defense damages actions interest best served defense permits insubstantial lawsuits quickly terminated second allegations subjective motivation might used shield baseless lawsuits summary judgment objective standard contrast raises questions concerning state law time challenged normally resolved summary judgment third focusing objective legal reasonableness official acts avoids unfairness imposing liability defendant reasonably expected anticipate subsequent legal developments fairly said law forbade conduct previously identified unlawful unfairness may present even official conduct motivated part hostility plaintiff last rationale fairness provide justification imposition special burdens plaintiffs allege misconduct plainly unlawful occurred obvious unfairness imposing even compelling defendant bear burdens discovery engaging conduct objectively reasonable occurred unfairness attributed holding one accountable actions knew known violated constitutional rights plaintiff harlow said much law clearly established immunity defense ordinarily fail since reasonably competent public official know law governing conduct id see also butz unfair hold liable official knows know acting outside law first two reasons underlying holding harlow however provide support procedural rule makes harder plaintiff especially one whose constitutional claim requires proof improper motive survive motion summary judgment countervailing concerns must considered concluding balance struck context defining affirmative defense also appropriate evaluating elements plaintiff cause action harlow expressly noted need balance evils inevitable available alternative emphasized situations abuse office action damages may offer realistic avenue vindication constitutional guarantees social costs adequately justified elimination subjective component affirmative defense necessarily justify serious limitations upon realistic remedy violation constitutional guarantees several reasons believe unlike harlow proper balance justify judicial revision law bar claims depend proof official motive initially important distinction bare allegations malice provided basis rebutting qualified immunity defense wood strickland allegations intent essential elements certain constitutional claims wood mere allegation intent cause injury deprivation constitutional rights permitted inquiry subjective motivation intent element constitutional violation however primary focus possible animus directed plaintiff rather specific intent disadvantage members class includes plaintiff see washington davis deter public comment specific issue public importance thus harlow hostility content fitzgerald testimony rather intent cause harm relevant component constitutional claim case proof respondent diverted plaintiff boxes hated necessarily demonstrate responding public comments prison conditions although wood evidence might rebutted qualified immunity defense moreover existing law already prevents narrow element unconstitutional motive automatically carrying plaintiff trial immunity standard harlow eliminates claims official conduct violate clearly established law even general rule long clearly established instance first amendment bars retaliation protected speech substantive legal doctrine plaintiff relies may facilitate summary judgment two different ways first may doubt illegality defendant particular conduct instance whether plaintiff speech matter public concern see generally anderson creighton second least certain types claims proof improper motive sufficient establish constitutional must also evidence causation accordingly public employee shows protected speech motivating factor adverse employment decision employer still prevails showing reached decision absence protected conduct mt healthy city bd ed doyle furthermore various procedural mechanisms already enable trial judges weed baseless claims feature subjective element explain detail part iv infra thus unlike subjective component immunity defense eliminated harlow improper intent element various causes action ordinarily preclude summary disposition insubstantial claims reasoning harlow like specific holding justify rule places thumb defendant side scales merits claim defendant ingly violated law resolved fortiori policy concerns underlying harlow support justice scalia unprecedented proposal immunize officials whose conduct objectively valid regardless improper intent see post iii fashioning special rule constitutional claims require proof improper intent judges appeals relied almost entirely opinion harlow specific policy concerns identified opinion explained neither case concerns warrant wholesale change law espoused without precedential grounding courts appeals change burden proof entire category claims stray far traditional limits judicial authority neither text federal statute federal rules civil procedure provides support imposing clear convincing burden proof plaintiffs either summary judgment stage trial might said qualified immunity defense harlow series earlier cases concerning absolute qualified immunity defenses engaged process adjudication consistently repeatedly viewed appropriate judicial process predicated upon considered inquiry immunity historically accorded relevant official common law interests behind imbler pachtman see also butz wyatt cole kennedy concurring unprecedented change made appeals case however lacks common law pedigree alters cause action way undermines purpose provide remedy violation federal rights past consistently declined similar invitations revise established rules separate qualified immunity defense refused change federal rules governing pleading requiring plaintiff anticipate immunity defense gomez requiring pleadings heightened specificity cases alleging municipal liability leatherman tarrant county narcotics intelligence coordination unit also declined craft exception settled rules interlocutory appellate jurisdiction rejected argument policies behind immunity defense justify interlocutory appeals questions evidentiary sufficiency johnson jones reasons unanimous rulings apply equal force imposition clear convincing burden proof cases alleging unconstitutional motive noted appeals adopted heightened proof standard large part reduce availability discovery actions require proof motive extent concerned procedural issue cases demonstrate questions regarding pleading discovery summary ment frequently effectively resolved either rulemaking process legislative process see leatherman moreover appeals indirect effort regulate discovery employs blunt instrument carries high cost rule also imposes heightened standard proof trial upon plaintiffs bona fide constitutional claims see anderson liberty lobby one particular recent action congress highlights concern judicial rulemaking protect officials damages actions judge silberman opinion brief filed suggest new substantive procedural rules warranted large number civil rights actions filed prison inmates see brief state missouri et al amici curiae arguably cases deserve special attention many plainly frivolous may motivated desire obtain holiday realistic expectation tangible relief even assuming perceived problem suits inmates justify creation new rules federal judges congress already fashioned special rules cover cases prison litigation reform act pub stat enacted april contains provisions discourage prisoners filing claims unlikely succeed among many new changes relating civil suits statute requires inmates pay filing fees denies forma pauperis status prisoners three prior strikes dismissals filing frivolous malicious fails state claim upon relief may granted unless prisoner imminent danger serious physical injury bars suits mental emotional injury unless prior showing physical injury limits attorney fees directs district courts screen prisoners complaints docketing authorizes motion dismiss frivolous malicious meritless actions permits revocation good time credits federal prisoners file malicious false claims encourages hearings telecommunication prison facilities make unnecessary inmate plaintiffs leave prison pretrial proceedings see supp supp recent statistics suggest act already intended effect significantly statute draws distinction constitutional claims require proof improper motive compelling need frame new rules law based distinction presumably congress either dealt problem reform act respond future legislation iv harlow noted application federal rules civil procedure fully warranted may lead prompt disposition insubstantial claims quoting butz though rejected appeals solution aware potential problem troubled therefore appropriate add words existing procedures available federal trial judges handling claims involve examination official state mind plaintiff files complaint public official alleging claim requires proof wrongful motive trial must exercise discretion way protects substance qualified immunity defense must exercise discretion officials subjected unnecessary burdensome discovery trial proceedings district judge two primary options prior permitting discovery first may order reply defendant third party answer federal rule civil procedure grant defendant motion definite statement rule thus may insist plaintiff put forward specific nonconclusory factual allegations establish improper motive causing cognizable injury order survive prediscovery motion dismissal summary judgment siegert gilley kennedy concurring judgment option exists even official chooses plead affirmative defense qualified immunity second defendant plead immunity defense district resolve threshold question permitting discovery harlow must determine whether assuming truth plaintiff allegations official conduct violated clearly established law former option demanding specific allegations intent places burden district judge may choose alternative resolving immunity question sometimes requires complicated analysis legal issues plaintiff action survives initial hurdles otherwise viable plaintiff ordinarily entitled discovery rule vests trial judge broad discretion tailor discovery narrowly dictate sequence discovery motion trial may alter limits federal rules number depositions interrogatories may also limit length depositions rule number requests rule frequency extent use discovery methods otherwise permitted rules shall limited determines iii burden expense proposed discovery outweighs likely benefit taking account needs case amount controversy parties resources importance issues stake litigation importance proposed discovery resolving issues additionally upon motion may limit time place manner discovery even bar discovery altogether certain subjects required protect party person annoyance embarrassment oppression undue burden expense rule may also set timing sequence discovery rule provisions create many options district judge instance may first permit plaintiff take focused deposition defendant allowing additional discovery see martin ginsburg alternatively may postpone inquiry regarding official subjective motive discovery objective factual questions whether plaintiff suffered injury whether plaintiff actually engaged protected conduct object unlawful retaliation trial judge therefore manage discovery process facilitate prompt efficient resolution lawsuit evidence gathered defendantofficial may move partial summary judgment objective issues potentially dispositive amenable summary disposition disputes official intent frequently turn credibility assessments course judge give priority discovery concerning issues bear upon qualified immunity defense actions official actually took since defense resolved early possible see anderson beyond procedures others mentioned summary judgment serves ultimate screen weed truly insubstantial lawsuits prior trial stage made properly supported motion plaintiff may respond simply general attacks upon defendant credibility rather must identify affirmative evidence jury find plaintiff carried burden proving pertinent motive anderson finally federal trial judges undoubtedly familiar two additional tools available extreme cases protect public officials undue harassment rule authorizes sanctions filing papers frivolous lacking factual support presented improper purpose harass supp authorizes dismissal time forma pauperis suits frivolous malicious district judges rather appellate judges like experience managing cases official intent element given wide variety civil rights constitutional tort claims trial judges confront broad discretion management factfinding process may useful equitable parties categorical rule imposed appeals judgment appeals vacated case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered leonard rollon petitioner patricia britton writ certiorari appeals district columbia circuit may justice kennedy concurring prisoner suits illustrate legal order best worst best even prisoners government must obey always constitution worst many suits invoke basic charter support claims fall somewhere frivolous farcical foster disrespect laws must guard disdain judicial system madison reminds us constitution endure must age age retain th veneration time bestows james madison federalist rossiter ed analysis chief justice addresses serious concerns full agreement however authority propose solutions lies legislative branch us leonard rollon petitioner patricia britton writ certiorari appeals district columbia circuit may chief justice rehnquist justice joins dissenting petition granted certiorari case presents two questions first asks case government official claiming amendment rights qualified immunity trine require plaintiff prove official stitutional intent convincing evidence pet cert opinion gives question extensive treatment concluding cases applying affirmative defense qualified immunity provide basis placing thumb defendant side scales merits claim defendant knowingly violated law resolved ante second question presented asks first amendment retaliation case government official official entitled qualified pet cert explicitly discuss question failure puzzling unfortunate puzzling immunity threshold question must addressed prior consideration merits plaintiff claim harlow fitzgerald unfortunate assuming answer question establishes precedent considerable tension significantly undermines harlow address question directly conclude along lines suggested judge silberman government official defendant tort suit entitled immunity suit long offer legitimate reason action challenged plaintiff unable establish reliance objective evidence offered reason actually pretext result consistent harlow purposes qualified immunity doctrine harlow respondent ernest fitzgerald brought suit claiming white house aides bryce harlow alexander butterfield acting concert president richard nixon others conspired deprive job deny reemployment besmirch reputation nixon fitzgerald harlow butterfield claimed immune suit granted certiorari determine immunity available senior aides advisers president harlow first concluded unlike president senior white house aides necessarily entitled absolute im munity next concluded however petitioners entitled application qualified immunity standard permit defeat insubstantial claims without resort trial id applying standard harlow write blank slate notion government officials sometimes immune suit present jurisprudence since least osborn bank wheat time took question harlow come understand qualified immunity affirmative defense objective subjective aspect see wood strickland harlow however noted application subjective element test often produced results odds doctrine purpose first courts considered official subjective good faith question fact inherently requiring resolution jury making impossible accomplish goal insubstantial claims proceed trial harlow second noted special costs inquiries government official subjective good faith inquiries intrusive personal thought peculiarly disruptive effective government id recognizing problems purged qualified immunity doctrine subjective component remolded turned entirely objective legal reasonableness measured state law time challenged act mitchell forsyth harlow supra new rule eliminated need disruptive inquiry subjective intent ensured insubstantial suits still subject dismissal prior trial additional benefit allowing officials predict circumstances required stand trial actions undertaken course work see davis scherer qualified immunity doctrine recognizes officials act without fear harassing litigation reasonably anticipate conduct may give rise liability damages unjustified lawsuits quickly terminated since held qualified immunity apply across board without regard precise nature various officials duties precise character particular rights alleged violated anderson creighton applying principles type tort suit issue obvious form qualified immunity necessary whether applies given case must turn entirely objective factors enough say law area clearly established type claim always turns defendant official subjective intent qualified immunity therefore never available logic apparently approves protracted complex ante course litigation case runs afoul harlow concern insubstantial claims prevented going trial ensures officials subject peculiarly disruptive inquiry subjective intent harlow rule designed prevent rule also allow plaintiffs strip defendants harlow protections simple act minimally competent attorney pro se litigant convert adverse decision motivebased tort thereby subject government officials measure intrusion subjective worlds result quite inconsistent logic underlying principles harlow order preserve protections harlow conferred necessary construct qualified immunity test context also based exclusively objective factors prevents plaintiffs engaging peculiarly disruptive subjective investigations immunity inquiry resolved favor test propose accomplishes goal test plaintiff alleges official action taken unconstitutional otherwise unlawful motive defendant entitled immunity immediate dismissal suit offer lawful reason action plaintiff establish objective evidence offered reason actually pretext interpretation harlow differ mine see ante harlow standard defense qualified immunity may rebutted evidence defendant conduct malicious otherwise improperly motivated evidence concerning defendant subjective intent simply irrelevant defense however carry harlow principles logical extension failure discuss issue explicitly makes difficult understand exactly rejects position appear two possibilities first appears concerned extension harlow qualified immunity torts mean meritorious claims go unredressed ante social costs adequately justified elimination subjective component affirmative defense necessarily justify serious limitations upon realistic remedy violation constitutional guarantees perhaps true sufficient reason refuse apply doctrine every time privilege created immunity extended understood meritorious claims dismissed otherwise heard courts legislatures craft immunities thought societal benefit confer outweighs whatever cost create terms unremedied meritorious claims crafting qualified immunity doctrine always considered public policy implications decisions see wyatt cole considering implications desirable reflect subspecies first amendment claims address case respondent britton corrections officer petitioner prisoner transferred spokane washington marianna florida intermediate stops along way action britton gave rise lawsuit asking pick boxes former belongings delivery rather shipping directly florida act considered seem far violation first amendment conceived alleged britton decision deliver belongings relative motivated desire punish previous interviews reporters given lawsuits filed claim illicit motive asserts transforms routine act course prison administration constitutional tort cites pickering board ed township high school dist example sort tort ante pickering distant cousin present case school board plainly stated reason discharging plaintiff teacher writing letter newspaper criticizing board motivation disputed whether first amendment protected writing letter closer point branti finkel also cited act complained dismissal republican assistants newly appointed democratic public defender objective discharging members one party newly appointed supervisor another party replacement members supervisor likely served defeat claim qualified immunity defendant official attempted offer legitimate reason firing republican assistants thus defendants neither pickering branti entitled qualified immunity approach propose still distantly related facts present case call primary first amendment cases constitutional claim depend motive examples reno american civil liberties union finding portions communications decency act unconstitutional first amendment barnes glen theatre concluding indiana statute regulating nude dancing violate first amendment brown hartlage invalidat ing kentucky statute limited speech candidates office nebraska press assn stuart invalidating judge order prohibiting reporting commentary murder trial southeastern promotions conrad finding denial permission use municipal theater showing hair unconstitutional prior restraint new york times per curiam refusing enjoin publication contents classified study great body cases involving freedom speech therefore unaffected approach qualified immunity apply prototypically case present one public official charged routine act normal course act absolutely connection freedom charged performed act desire retaliate plaintiff previous exercise right speak freely case surely legitimate reason respondent action evidence record us shows pretextual view factfinder ultimate determination motive acted resolve case think modest extension harlow propose result judgment qualified immunity respondent also relevant consideration costs proposed rule incur suit request damages brought purpose deter state actors using badge authority deprive individuals federally guaranteed rights provide relief victims deterrence fails hard see purpose substantially advanced petitioner suit allowed proceed wyatt cole supra petitioner already fully exercised federally guaranteed rights providing compensation even claim meritorious foster increased constitutional freedoms hypothetical subsequent individual given imposition liability case deterred exercising first amendment rights fear respondent retaliate misdirecting belongings costs extension harlow propose therefore minor benefits significant recognized noted inquiries subjective state mind government officials peculiarly disruptive effective government threat inquiries instances cause conscientious officials shrink making difficult choices policy arguments thus point strongly favor extending immunity manner suggest opinion however suggests second reason rule might unnecessary assumes district judges alert dangers allowing claims proceed protect defendants judicious skillful manipulation federal rules civil procedure ante doubt general matter district judges entirely capable regard whether defendant entitled protection peculiarly disruptive inquiry subjective intent depend willingness ability particular district judge limit inquiry creative application federal rules scope protection vary depending district plaintiff brings suit cf anderson creighton immunity many variants modes official action types rights give conscientious officials assurance protection object doctrine provide indeed inconsistency district courts applied wood strickland subjective inquiry one reasons harlow stripped qualified immunity subjective component harlow official subjective good faith considered question fact courts regarded inherently requiring resolution jury proposed rule supply officials consistency predictability harlow progeny identified underlying purpose qualified immunity doctrine without eliminating torts altogether solution dependent varying approaches district judges simply end day many cases still depend factfinder decision motivation future defendant respondent position know certainty simple act delivering prisoner belongings one way rather another result extensive investigation state mind time result simply faithful harlow underlying concerns leonard rollon petitioner patricia britton writ certiorari appeals district columbia circuit may justice scalia justice thomas joins dissenting observed earlier treatment qualified immunity purported faithful immunities existed enacted statute presumably intended subsume see burns reed scalia concurring judgment part dissenting part perhaps well created bears scant resemblance congress enacted almost century earlier refer course holding monroe pape converted statute covering constitutional violations committed color statute ordinance regulation custom usage state rev stat emphasis added statute covering constitutional violations committed without authority statute ordinance regulation custom usage state indeed even constitutional violations committed stark violation state civil criminal law see monroe id frankfurter dissenting described detail concurring opinion judge silberman case see monroe changed statute generated cases first years existence one pours federal courts tens thousands suits year engages losing struggle prevent constitution degenerating general tort law present suit involving constitutional violation misdirecting package good enough example applying normal rules statute monroe created carry us sane congress enacted find engaged therefore essentially legislative activity crafting sensible scheme qualified immunities statute applying common law embodied statute congress wrote preference undiluted form approach suggested judge silberman concurring opinion appeals extending objective reasonableness test harlow fitzgerald qualified immunity insofar relates constitutional torts chief justice opinion sets forth test along lines suggested judge silberman ante differs significant respect allow introduction objective evidence constitutionally valid reason offered action actually pretext ibid consist presumably objective evidence regarding state official subjective example remarks showing animus plaintiff admission evidence produces less immunity one established harlow case trial finds constitutional right well established admit objective evidence defendant knew violating constitution test favor apply similar rule trial finds asserted grounds official action objectively valid person fired alleged incompetence indeed incompetent admit proof something reasonable grounds genuine motive incompetent person fired republican course severe restriction upon intentbased constitutional torts less put consequence may since believe intentbased constitutional tort actionable congress enacted footnotes petitioner invited washington post reporter visit lorton prison obtained visitor application reporter resulted article prison overcrowding crisis respondent approved visitor application disclose visitor affiliation newspaper allegedly accused petitioner tricking threatened make life hard possible app pet cert petitioner also alleges complained invasions privacy respondent told prisoner rights id later another washington post article quoted petitioner saying litigious prisoners handpicked transfer spokane lawsuits dismissed procedural grounds respondent allegedly referred legal troublemaker id title provides every person color statute ordinance regulation custom usage state territory district columbia subjects causes subjected citizen person within jurisdiction thereof deprivation rights privileges immunities secured constitution laws shall liable party injured action law suit equity proper proceeding redress claim respondent us appeals consider whether petitioner amended complaint stated cause action district first two questions asked cases plaintiffs bring civil rights claims government officials assert qualified immunity may circuit supplement federal rules civil procedure requiring plaintiffs satisfy heightened pleading requirement complaint face dismissal prior discovery done may circuit require plaintiffs allege government officials acted unconstitutional intent plead direct opposed circumstantial evidence intent done app pet cert questions regarding summary judgment asked claims constitutional tort unlawfulness depends actor unconstitutional motive defendant enjoys qualified immunity grant defense motion summary judgment made plaintiff conducted discovery plaintiff failed adduce evidence fact finder reasonably infer illicit motive see harlow fitzgerald elliott thomas cir claims constitutional tort unlawfulness depends actor unconstitutional motive defendant enjoys qualified immunity circumstances apart national security issues sort stake halperin kissinger cir grant defense motion summary judgment showing defendant reasonable jury necessarily conclude defendant stated motivation reasonable id see also id summary judgment warranted reasonable jury find objectively unreasonable defendants acting stated innocent motives point disavowed prior rule martin metropolitan police department cadc siegert gilley cadc aff grounds washington davis race personnel administrator mass feeney gender farmer brennan branti finkel pickering board ed township high school dist cty reason retaliation offends constitution threatens inhibit exercise protected right pickering retaliation thus akin unconstitutional condition demanded receipt benefit see perry sindermann see siegert gilley observing determination whether plaintiff asserted violation constitutional right necessary concomitant threshold immunity question indeed justice ginsburg judge district columbia circuit commented harlow intended formulation qualified immunity defense foreclose inquiry defendants state mind might instructed entry judgment defendants harlow butterfield constitutional claim without ado fact returned case district remand disposition hardly consistent firm intent delete state mind inquiry every constitutional tort calculus martin correct understanding explains harlow support change law advocated chief justice post social costs include expenses litigation diversion official energy pressing public issues deterrence able citizens acceptance public office finally danger fear sued ardor resolute irresponsible public officials unflinching discharge duties gregoire biddle cert denied harlow opinion scheuer rhodes explicitly identified fairness important concern official immunity apparently rested genesis two mutually dependent rationales injustice particularly absence bad faith subjecting liability officer required legal obligations position exercise discretion danger threat liability deter willingness execute office decisiveness judgment required public good id omitted fairness alone however sufficient reason immunity defense thus justify extension private parties wyatt cole various protections may entirely foreclose discovery issue motive appeals adopted heightened proof standard large part facilitate resolution summary judgment motions discovery discovery involving public officials indeed one evils harlow aimed address neither opinion subsequent decisions create immunity discovery harlow sought protect officials costs discovery since recognized limited discovery may sometimes necessary district resolve motion summary judgment based qualified immunity anderson creighton see also mitchell forsyth though opinion harlow forthright revising immunity defense policy reasons see anderson decision nonetheless followed recent precedent simply eliminated one aspect established doctrine create new immunity standard whole cloth ironically heightened standard proof directly limits availability remedy cases involving specific evil civil rights act predecessor originally discrimination see monroe pape dissent harris pate judge hastings wrote reference ever increasing volume frivolous civil actions filed state custodial prisoners course prisoners enjoy holiday despite continuing rise state federal prison populations number prisoner civil rights suits filed federal dropped fiscal year fiscal year decline percent administrative office courts mecham judicial business courts report director table district enters order denying defendant motion dismissal summary judgment official entitled bring immediate interlocutory appeal legal ruling immunity question johnson jones judge however discretion postpone ruling defendant summary judgment motion plaintiff needs additional discovery explore facts essential justify party opposition rule official seeks summary judgment immunity grounds denies motion official take immediate interlocutory appeal even already appealed prior order behrens pelletier course party seeking summary judgment always bears initial responsibility informing district basis motion identifying portions pleadings depositions answers interrogatories admissions file together affidavits believes demonstrate absence genuine issue material fact celotex catrett quoting fed rule civ proc suggests wood strickland subjective inquiry stripped qualified immunity analysis harlow somehow different inquiry subjective intent involved resolution tort claim ante inquiries may differ somewhat terms precisely asked difference without relevance purposes qualified immunity doctrine inquiries allow plaintiff probe official state mind therefore types inquiry potential peculiarly disruptive effective government result also threatens rule qualified immunity anderson creighton unwilling complicate qualified immunity analysis making scope extent immunity turn precise nature various officials duties precise character particular rights alleged violated immunity many variants modes official action types rights give conscientious officials assurance protection object doctrine provide point perhaps made elegantly judge learned hand passage wrote indeed go without saying official fact guilty using powers vent spleen upon others escape liability injuries may cause possible practice confine complaints guilty monstrous deny recovery justification impossible know whether claim well founded case tried submit officials innocent well guilty burden trial inevitable danger outcome dampen ardor resolute irresponsible unflinching discharge duties often case answer must found balance evils inevitable either alternative instance thought end better leave unredressed wrongs done dishonest officers subject try duty constant dread retaliation gregoire biddle hand cert denied