Document: 502 U.S. 224 112 S.Ct. 534 116 L.Ed.2d 589 Brian V. HUNTER and Jeffrey Jordanv.James BRYANT, Jr. No. 90-1440. Dec. 16, 1991. PER CURIAM. 1 On May 3, 1985, respondent James Bryant delivered two photocopies of a handwritten letter to administrative offices at the University Southern California. The rambling referred plot assassinate President Ronald Reagan by "Mr Image," who was described as "Communist white men within National Council Churches." stated that Image wants murder on his up coming trip Germany," had conspired with large number officials in Reagan" others, (NCC) still plans murdering Germany May, 1985." See v. United States Treasury Department, Secret Service, 903 F.2d 717, 724-727 (CA9 1990) (Bryant's letter). traveling time. 2 A campus police sergeant telephoned agent Hunter responded call. After reading letter, interviewed employees. One identified man reported "told her '[h]e should have been assassinated Bonn.' " Another employee said made statements about 'bloody coups' 'assassination,' something 'across throat' while moving hand horizontally across throat simulate cutting action. Id., 718-719. 3 another Service agent, Jordan, then visited local address appeared letter. came door gave agents permission enter. He admitted writing delivering but refused identify 'Mr. Image' answered questions fashion. search apartment, found original While underway, Jordan continued questioning Bryant, answer feelings toward or state whether he intended harm President. 719. 4 arrested for making threats against President, violation 18 U.S.C. § 871(a).1 arraigned held without bond until 17, when criminal complaint dismissed Government's motion. 5 subsequently sued Department Treasury, Director seeking recovery under Federal Tort Claims Act alleging violated rights Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Fourteenth Amendments. Bivens Six Unknown Fed. Narcotics Agents, 403 388, 91 1999, 29 619 (1971). District Court all defendants other than causes action Bryant's Fourth Amendment claims arrest probable cause warrant. court denied agents' motion summary judgment qualified immunity grounds. 6 appeal, Ninth Circuit panel were entitled arresting warrant because, time, requirement not clearly established situations which arrestee consented entry into residence. F.2d, 723-724. 7 However, divided question claim they cause. majority concluded failed sustain burden establishing because their reason Bryant—their belief plotting kill could be pseudonym Bryant—was most reasonable letter: 8 "Even accepting 'alter ego' theory warning what Mr. going do, fact communicating himself planned read its entirety does appear make threat Most even talk Reagan. more interpretation might trying convince people danger conspiracy posed rather speaking through Image." 722 (emphasis added). 9 Our cases establish shields from suit damages if "a officer believed [Bryant's arrest] lawful, light law information [arresting] officers possessed." Anderson Creighton, 483 635, 641, 107 3034, 3040, 97 523 (1987). Even enforcement "reasonably mistakenly conclude is present" are immunity. Ibid. Moreover, "[t]he entitlement an mere defense liability," Mitchell Forsyth, 472 511, 526, 105 2806, 2815, 86 411 (1985), we repeatedly stressed importance resolving earliest possible stage litigation. Harlow Fitzgerald, 457 800, 818, 102 2727, 2738, 73 396 (1982); Davis Scherer, 468 183, 195, 104 3012, 3019, 82 139 (1984); Mitchell, supra, U.S., S.Ct., 2815; Malley Briggs, 475 335, 341, 106 1092, 1096, 89 271 (1986); Anderson, 646, n. 6, 3042, 6. 10 decision ignores import these decisions. Appeals' confusion evident statement "[w]hether trier fact, . based lack proper only there one conclusion jury reach." 721. This wrong reasons. First, it routinely places hands jury. Immunity ordinarily decided long before trial. 527-529, 2815-2817. Second, ask acted reasonably settled circumstances, reasonable, events can constructed five years after fact. 11 Under law, existed Bryant. Probable "at moment facts circumstances knowledge trustworthy sufficient prudent believing" 871. Beck Ohio, 379 89, 91, 85 223, 225, 13 142 (1964). 12 When possessed written containing references assassination scheme directed cognizant President's whereabouts, oral Bonn,' 719, basis this information, magistrate ordered bond. These undisputed assumed, arguendo, (and magistrate) erred concluding nevertheless would mistaken. 3040. 14 standard "gives ample room mistaken judgments" protecting "all plainly incompetent those knowingly violate law." Malley, 343, 1097, 1096. accommodation error exists "officials err always side caution" fear being sued. Davis, 196, 3020. national experience has taught principle nowhere important specter Presidential raised. 15 petition writ certiorari granted, Appeals reversed, case remanded further proceedings consistent opinion. 16 It so ordered. 17 Justice THOMAS took no part consideration case. SCALIA, concurring judgment. 19 In my view Circuit's opinion purported apply today's demands. Its finding, it, met. Since I think worthwhile will let such mistake stand respect guard life concur reversal. 20 STEVENS, dissenting. 21 Those "who President," ante, 229 (SCALIA, J., judgment), properly rely slightest bits evidence—nothing hunches suspicion—in taking precautions avoid ever-present assassination. Mere suspicion obviously justification host protective measures as, example, careful surveillance person like respondent. presented, however, trained evidence available petitioners time constituted believe committed crime threatening 22 relied support summarized affidavits filed That includes three relevant components: (1) rambling, confusing contained indicating Image" Germany; (2) "believed use term may [respondent] third person," App. Pet. Cert. 48a, 54a.; (3) copy Veronica Tincher budget office California, "said throat', simultaneously action," id., 43a. 23 explained addition above facts, affiants "concerned pose well-being." 54a. also noteworthy allowed them enter voluntarily weapons plain view, second entire resulted nothing discovery 24 key piece supposedly justifying finding threatened freely refer to, among things, not, intends Rather, warns Nor leave identity doubt. first sentence, identifies parenthetically: 'Image' (Communist 'National Churchs)." 724 (reprinting proceeds explain derivation term: "The name 'Image Beast' biblical given identifys Churches body though NCC composed largely women, really control it. So appropriate respectfully Mr IMAGE!" postscript specifies Biblical origin identification Churches: Image—(NCC) scard death over posiability exposed prophecy Rev. 13:11-17 & 14:9-11."1 727. At well, parenthetical references. 25 advances accusing spreading communism scheming President.2 Such course absurd, absurdity mean vast gap separates preposterous delusional itself, constitutes author. serve author mentally unstable justify activities, legitimate concern transform threat. As suggested outset, set well justified well-being. No matter how officer's been, kind substitute determination arrest. 26 petitioners' dismissal ground fact-finding necessary. motion, required resolve any disputed parties. correctly governing standards wrote: 27 "Qualified affirmative government official bears proof. [457 815, 2736, (1982) ], Benigni City Hemet, 853 1519 (9th Cir.1988). motions, viewed favorable nonmoving party; prevail judgment, must show proving right allegedly conduct. 28 ". order secret service words context serious president. Watts States, [394 705, 1399, 664 (1969) (per curiam ) ]. 30 "Whether verdict 1983 reach. Kennedy L.A. Police 887 920, 924 Cir.1989), McKenzie Lamb, 738 1005, 1008 Cir.1984). Because protects liability, essential resolved [v. (1985) necessarily expands factfinding role played district judge. some cases, courts able trial and, sometimes, discovery. development record require determine interpreted violating 871." 720-721. 31 Like am satisfied applied correct legal affirmed Court's refusal grant favor petitioners. entirety, inescapable. Unlike record, examined party, yet respondent's unwise Court, de novo review reject both agreed. 32 Accordingly, dissent. 33 KENNEDY, 34 Petitioners Service. Among presented 871(a), prohibits mail grounds Whether implied expressed, our resolution parsed later courts. suggests dispose 35 For reasons per dissent Judge Trott Appeals, agree holding open question. seems considered relied, particular responses (or non-responses) questions. calls 36 To reverse case, considers issue doubt Two members disagree misstated law. ----; judgment); ---- (STEVENS, dissenting). Given disagreement, precedential weight accord addressed here express terms clear implication, lend itself disposition. full briefing argument. 37 reasons, reversal 871(a) provides: "Whoever willfully deposits conveyance delivery post carrier paper, writing, print, missive, document take of, kidnap, inflict bodily upon President-elect, Vice next succession otherwise makes shall fined $1,000 imprisoned years, both." original, "(NCC)" word "Image," connecting arrow runs downward. Defendants' Memorandum Points Authorities Support Motion Summary Judgment CV 86-3134 (CD Cal.), p. 61. omitted reprinted times come attack supporting subversive activity. 1983, charges leveled segment television program "60 Minutes" article appearing Reader's Digest, Isaac, Do You Know Where Your Church Offerings Go?, January pp. 120-125. president media reports stating '[T]he worldwide socialist conspiracy. [It] supply arms communists, revolutionaries, anyone else. violent overthrow government.' Christian Science Monitor, 5, (reporting speech Bishop Armstrong, Churches). criticism closer incident here, see, e.g., Los Angeles Times, April 27, 2, col. Peter Reddaway London School Economics '[w]ittingly unwittingly, deeply involved concealing distorting truth Soviet Union .' "); 25, 1, associate professor history Seattle Pacific "has done disservice Christians 'buying line' handed church leaders .").

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