Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents

Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents (1971) is a landmark Supreme Court case that established individuals can seek damages when their constitutional rights, such as protection against illegal searches or arrests, are violated by federal agents. In this case, Bivens alleged that federal agents unlawfully searched and arrested him without cause. The Court ruled that constitutional violations by federal officials can be addressed through a private lawsuit, creating a legal remedy similar to civil rights cases against state officials. This case set a precedent for holding federal officers accountable for violating individuals’ constitutional rights.