Hudson v. McMillian
Prison Inmate Claims Beating Violated His Civil Rights, High Court Defines Force Used On Inmates, Excessive Use Of Force Against Inmates Violates Societal Standards
Petitioner
Keith J. Hudson
Respondent
Jack McMillian, et al.
Petitioner's Claim
Proof of serious injury is not required to prove a claim under the Eighth Amendment of cruel and unusual punishment.
Chief Lawyer for Petitioner
Alvin J. Bronstein
Chief Lawyer for Respondent
Harry McCall, Jr.
Justices for the Court
Harry A. Blackmun, Anthony M. Kennedy, Sandra Day O'Connor (writing for the Court), William H. Rehnquist, David H. Souter, John Paul Stevens, Byron R. White
Justices Dissenting
Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas
Place
Washington, D.C.
Date of Decision
25 February 1992
Decision
A petitioner claiming that excessive force constituted cruel and unusual punishment does not have to suffer a serious injury to prevail in the case.
Significance
The decision extended Eighth Amendment protection against cruel and unusual punishment to prisoners who are beaten, even if the prisoner does not suffer a serious injury.
Impact
The Hudson decision made it possible for incarcerated persons to make Eighth Amendment claims of excessive force without alleging the infliction of a serious physical injury. This gave prisoners with such claims another avenue into the federal court system, giving them an option between state and federal court. A prisoner may decide to forego suing in state court if the laws in federal court are more favorable.
Related Cases
- Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97 (1976).
- Rhodes v. Chapman, 452 U.S. 337 (1981).
- Whitley v. Albers, 475 U.S. 312 (1986).
- Wisniewski v. Kennard, 901 F.2d 1276 (1990).
- Wilson v. Seiter, 501 U.S. 294 (1994).
Sources
West's Encyclopedia of American Law, Vol. 7, p. 373. St. Paul, MN: West Publishing, 1998.
Further Readings
- Call, Jack E. "The Supreme Court and Prisoners' Rights." Federal Probation, March 1995, p. 36.
- New York Times, February 26, 1992.
- Simon, James F. The Center Holds: The Power Struggle Inside the Rehnquist Court. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995.
- Smolla, Rodney A. A Year In the Life of the Supreme Court. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1995.
Additional topics
- Illinois v. Perkins - Significance, A Coercive Atmosphere Is Lacking, Deception And Manipulation Practiced, Compulsion Includes Police Deception
- Horton v. California - Significance, Background Laws And Decisions, The Crime And The Evidence, The Case Of Terry Horton
- Hudson v. McMillian - Prison Inmate Claims Beating Violated His Civil Rights
- Hudson v. McMillian - High Court Defines Force Used On Inmates
- Hudson v. McMillian - Excessive Use Of Force Against Inmates Violates Societal Standards
- Hudson v. McMillian - Dissenting Justices Assert Eighth Amendment Not Intended To Regulate Prisons
- Hudson v. McMillian - Sandra Day O'connor, First Female Justice
- Other Free Encyclopedias
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