THE CLAIM AND THE RELIEF: REVEALING MISCONCEPTIONS AND MISSTEPS IN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT’S JURISPRUDENCE FOR §1983 ACTIONS AND BLACK LIVES MATTER

Abstract

This article explores the persistent challenges in addressing police brutality through civil rights litigation, focusing on the limitations imposed by federal jurisdiction and justiciability doctrines post-Lyons. It argues that the Supreme Court's approach, which conflates jurisdictional inquiries with procedural or remedial ones, has significantly hindered access to justice for plaintiffs seeking to vindicate their constitutional rights under §1983. By examining the foundational jurisdictional and procedural principles at stake, the article reveals the Court's missteps and suggests ways to disentangle these concepts, aiming to restore §1983's essential role in defending constitutional rights and ensuring that victims of police misconduct can obtain full redress in federal courts.