BlogLine

SCOTUS Affirms FMG Victory In First-Of-Its-Kind 11th Circuit Flash Bang Case

10/10/17

By: Wayne S. Melnick and A. Ali Sabzevari
Previously, we blogged on a first-of-its-kind summary judgment obtained by Freeman Mathis & Gary in a Section 1983 case involving allegations of excessive force based on the police’s use of “Flash Bang.”  The case was appealed to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and that court affirmed the lower court opinion finding this case of first impression was the first in the circuit to address Flash Bang usage; and as such, the officer was entitled to the qualified immunity granted by the district court because there was no clearly established law on point.
In a one-line order issued earlier this month, the United States Supreme Court denied plaintiff’s petition for certiorari thereby locking in the 11th Circuit victory as controlling precedent. Because the 11th Circuit provided a bright line test for future Flash Bang use, it is imperative that all practitioners defending law enforcement officers who deploy Flash Bangs (as well as those officers themselves) be familiar with the rules provided by the court going forward.
If you would like a copy of the 11th Circuit opinion or more information, please contact either Wayne Melnick at wmelnick@fmglaw.com or Ali Sabzevari at asabzevari@fmglaw.com.