Press Release

Washington, DC — The following is a statement from American Association for Justice CEO Linda Lipsen following the introduction of the “Justice in Policing Act of 2020” which contains provisions addressing “qualified immunity,” the doctrine that gives legal immunity to law enforcement officials:

“For more than 50 years, the unjust ‘qualified immunity’ doctrine has shielded law enforcement officers from lawsuits when they violate the civil rights of the people they are sworn to protect,” said Linda Lipsen, CEO of the American Association for Justice. “As an organization committed to fighting for justice and accountability, AAJ has joined amicus curiae briefs fighting to overturn this policy, including six briefs in the last two years alone. And today, we call on Congress to end the qualified immunity doctrine and make other critical changes to federal law, including enhancing the collection and dissemination of policing information and reporting.

“Those whose rights are violated must be able to seek justice and public accountability, especially when they or their families are targets of police violence and brutality.”

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The American Association for Justice works to preserve the constitutional right to trial by jury and to make sure people have a fair chance to receive justice through the legal system when they are injured by the negligence or misconduct of others—even when it means taking on the most powerful corporations. Visit http://www.justice.org.