Saucier v. Katz

Saucier v. Katz (2001) is a Supreme Court case that clarified how courts should evaluate whether police officers used excessive force during an arrest. The Court established a two-step process: first, they analyze whether the officer’s actions violated the person’s constitutional rights based on what was known at the time; second, if a violation is identified, they determine whether the force used was objectively reasonable given the circumstances. This approach aims to balance individual rights with the practical realities police officers face, emphasizing careful, case-by-case evaluation rather than applying rigid rules.