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Sotomayor Issues Strong Dissents Against Police Immunity Expansion

3/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

On March 23, 2026, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued three dissents warning against expanding police immunity and eroding rights.
In the Shela Linton case, Sotomayor criticized granting qualified immunity to Sergeant Jacob Zorn for injuring Linton during a protest.
She said the decision undermines the Fourth Amendment.
She condemned the arrest of Priscilla Villarreal for gathering information and criticized the court's denial of DNA testing in Rodney Reed's case.

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Story summary

On March 23, 2026, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued three dissents warning against expanding police immunity and eroding rights.
In the Shela Linton case, Sotomayor criticized granting qualified immunity to Sergeant Jacob Zorn for injuring Linton during a protest.
She said the decision undermines the Fourth Amendment.
She condemned the arrest of Priscilla Villarreal for gathering information and criticized the court's denial of DNA testing in Rodney Reed's case.