Monroe v. Pape
United States Supreme Court
365 U.S. 167 (1961)
- Written by Angela Patrick, JD
Facts
Early one morning, without a warrant, Frank Pape and 12 other police officers (defendants) burst into the home of James Monroe (plaintiff). The officers made Monroe and his family stand naked while the officers ransacked the home. Monroe was then taken to a police station. Monroe was detained and interrogated for 10 hours without being given access to an attorney. No charges were ever filed against Monroe. Monroe sued the City of Chicago (defendant) and the officers in federal court under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging that they had violated Monroe’s constitutional rights. The city and officers moved to dismiss the federal lawsuit, arguing that (1) § 1983 applied only to federal officials; (2) the officers were not acting under color of state law, because state law formally prohibited their alleged actions; and (3) Monroe should first seek relief in state court. The district court dismissed Monroe’s complaint. The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Douglas, J.)
Concurrence (Harlan, J.)
Dissent (Frankfurter, J.)
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