qualified immunity

Qualified immunity is a legal doctrine that protects government officials, including police officers, from being held personally liable for constitutional violations while performing their official duties, unless they violated a "clearly established" law. This means that if the law wasn't obvious or the official did not know they were acting incorrectly, they may not face legal consequences. The aim is to allow officials to perform their roles without fear of constant litigation, but it can also make it challenging for individuals to seek justice when their rights are violated.