11.   The guards asked a federal judge to throw out the case because as guards at a state prison they were entitled to qualified immunity from lawsuits.

12.   The guards asked a federal judge to throw out the case because, as guards at a state prison, they were entitled to qualified immunity from lawsuits.

13.   The qualified immunity doctrine need not be extended to protect public officials from such attacks.

14.   The relevant precedent indicates that, in the context of qualified immunity, it is not.

15.   The three state officials unsuccessfully argued that the purpose of qualified immunity is to shield state workers from the need to go through a trial and extensive pre-trial proceedings.

16.   While the appeals panel said that assessors did not enjoy absolute immunity from lawsuits, it nevertheless recognized a qualified immunity that protects assessors from lawsuits for honest mistakes.

17.   Police have qualified immunity, though not when it can be proven they deliberately did something wrong, such as conceal exculpatory evidence.

18.   Justice Department lawyers said a half-dozen other federal appeals courts have ruled that the test for qualified immunity in such cases is not identical to the test of reasonableness.

19.   Law enforcement officials generally enjoy what is called qualified immunity from lawsuits, unless their conduct violates the U.S. Constitution or established law.

20.   Sydnor sought dismissal of the lawsuit under qualified immunity, which protects government officials from being sued unless their actions violated a clearly established right.