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US Federal Constitution QUESTION #5817
Question 1
A state court judge is sued for damages in federal court for wrongfully sentencing a defendant to 10 years in prison based on a law that was later found to be unconstitutional. The judge was acting within his jurisdiction. Will the suit succeed?
  • Yes, because the judge violated the defendant’s due process rights.
  • Yes, because the Eleventh Amendment does not protect individual state officials.
  • No, because the judge is entitled to absolute judicial immunity for acts within his judicial capacity.✔️
  • No, because the 'adequate and independent state ground' doctrine prevents federal review.
Correct Answer Explanation
Judges are absolutely immune from civil liability for damages for their judicial acts, even if those acts are erroneous, malicious, or in excess of their authority, provided they have jurisdiction over the subject matter.