Opinion ID: 617507
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Alleged Defamatory Statements Made to the Press.

Text: Flagler argues that Trainor defamed her by falsely stating to the press that she had been hiding out before the trial. Trainor only claimed absolute immunity from liability for this claim; he did not challenge the substance of the pleading. In Buckley v. Fitzsimmons , the Supreme Court held that statements to the media are not entitled to absolute immunity. 509 U.S. 259, 277, 113 S.Ct. 2606, 125 L.Ed.2d 209 (1993). The Court explained that while absolute immunity shields statements made during a judicial proceeding, it does not shield statements made outside court. Id. The Court reasoned: The conduct of a press conference does not involve the initiation of a prosecution, the presentation of the State's case in court, or actions preparatory for these functions. Id. at 278, 113 S.Ct. 2606. The Court recognized that while statements to the press may be an integral part of the prosecutor's job, the duty is no different than that for other executives who deal with the press and enjoy only qualified immunity. Id. Because absolute immunity does not shield statements made to the press, the district court erred by dismissing Flagler's defamation claim on account of absolute immunity.