Opinion ID: 498211
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Quasi-Judicial Immunity for Executing Court Order

Text: 35 The record also reveals that McLaughlin, pursuant to the court order, obtained custody of Christina and removed her from the hospital. McLaughlin's execution of the order was not a quasi-prosecutorial function connected with the pursuit of the dependency proceeding. Execution of a court order is not an act analogous to any that a prosecutor would normally perform; it is not, in any sense, advocatory. Cf. Ashelman v. Pope, 793 F.2d 1072, 1076 (9th Cir.1986) (absolute immunity applies when prosecutor acts as an advocate in initiating and presenting state's case). Accordingly, McLaughlin is not protected by quasi-prosecutorial immunity for her action in obtaining custody of Christina at the hospital. 36 We have never fully addressed the question of immunity for persons executing court orders. In Fayle v. Stapley, 607 F.2d 858 (9th Cir.1979), we cited cases from the Third Circuit and from the Northern District of Alabama in ruling that certain government officers were immune from civil rights liability for actions authorized by a state court order. Id. at 862 & n. 4. In two other cases, we stated that quasi-judicial immunity protects those who execute court orders from liability in civil rights actions, but in each case the statement was dictum. See Gregory v. Thompson, 500 F.2d 59, 65 n. 6 (9th Cir.1974) (dictum); Gillibeau v. City of Richmond, 417 F.2d 426, 429 (9th Cir.1969) (dictum); see also Haldane v. Chagnon, 345 F.2d 601, 604 (9th Cir.1965) (bailiff who acted at direction of judge in signing petition alleging bailiff's belief that appellant was in need of medical care enjoyed quasi-judicial immunity from liability for damages in civil rights action; in so acting, bailiff was a part of the body of the court itself), disapproved on other grounds, Dennis v. Sparks, 449 U.S. 24, 101 S.Ct. 183, 66 L.Ed.2d 185 (1980). 37 Other circuits, however, have held that persons who faithfully execute valid court orders are absolutely immune from liability for damages in civil rights actions challenging conduct authorized by the order. See, e.g., Henry v. Farmer City State Bank, 808 F.2d 1228, 1238-39 (7th Cir.1986) (sheriff who acted pursuant to official court order enjoyed quasi-judicial absolute immunity from liability for damages under section 1983); Tymiak v. Omodt, 676 F.2d 306, 308 (8th Cir.1982) (same); Slotnick v. Garfinkle, 632 F.2d 163, 166 (1st Cir.1980) (Judicial immunity extends as well to those who carry out the orders of judges.); Kermit Constr. Corp. v. Banco Credito y Ahorro Ponceno, 547 F.2d 1, 3 (1st Cir.1976) (receiver who faithfully and carefully executes a court order shares the judge's absolute immunity); see also Waits v. McGowan, 516 F.2d 203, 206-07 (3d Cir.1975) (person directly involved in the judicial process may be covered by judicial immunity where he is performing a ministerial function at judge's direction); cases cited in id. at 206-07 n. 6. 38 The rationale for immunizing persons who execute court orders is apparent. Such persons are themselves integral parts of the judicial process. Briscoe v. LaHue, 460 U.S. 325, 335, 103 S.Ct. 1108, 1116, 75 L.Ed.2d 96 (1983). The fearless and unhesitating execution of court orders is essential if the court's authority and ability to function are to remain uncompromised. As the First Circuit has explained with respect to a receiver who acted pursuant to court directives: 39 To deny him this [absolute] immunity would seriously encroach on the judicial immunity already recognized by the Supreme Court.... It would make the receiver a lightning rod for harassing litigation aimed at judicial orders. In addition to the unfairness of sparing the judge who gives an order while punishing the receiver who obeys it, a fear of bringing down litigation on the receiver might color a court's judgment in some cases.... 40 Kermit Constr. Corp., 547 F.2d at 3. 41 The same concerns dictate that a CPS worker be accorded absolute quasi-judicial immunity from liability for damages stemming from the worker's apprehension of a child pursuant to a valid court order. The parent of the apprehended child is not left remediless--he or she may always attack the court's order directly or on appeal. But to permit the CPS worker to become a lightning rod for harassing litigation aimed at judicial orders would seriously imperil the effectiveness of state child protection schemes. 42 Coverdell had an opportunity to challenge the court's order directing that Christina be apprehended and placed in temporary shelter care. That order became final long ago and is not at issue on this appeal. Coverdell has neither alleged nor shown that in executing the order, McLaughlin exceeded its scope or acted improperly in any other way. Coverdell's complaint, at bottom, is that McLaughlin apprehended Christina without notice shortly after the child's birth, while mother and child were still recuperating at the hospital. McLaughlin's act, however, was plainly authorized by the court's order, which expressly directed the immediate apprehension of the child from the hospital. Accordingly, McLaughlin enjoys absolute quasi-judicial immunity for executing that order. 43