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Supreme Court hears arguments on case about FBI raid on wrong Georgia home

ABC News's profile
ABC News
7h ago

The Supreme Court is set to hear a case involving Trina Martin, an Atlanta woman whose home was mistakenly raided by the FBI, to determine when individuals can sue federal law enforcement for accountability. In 2017, agents mistakenly broke into Martin's home, terrifying her family, due to incorrect GPS directions, and the government claims this was an honest mistake that should not be subject to a lawsuit. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed her case, but public interest groups argue this decision restricts the ability to hold federal agents accountable in similar situations. These groups urge the Supreme Court to overturn the ruling, highlighting conflicts with other courts' decisions nationwide. The outcome could redefine legal avenues available for citizens to challenge federal law enforcement misconduct in court.

Supreme Court hears arguments on case about FBI raid on wrong Georgia home

Trina Martin's legal team is seeking to revive her lawsuit against the FBI after agents mistakenly raided her home in 2017, pointing guns at her then-boyfriend and frightening her young child.

The raid occurred because the FBI team was led to the wrong location by the team leader's personal GPS, and they later apologized for the error and left the premises.

The government argues that such mistakes should not be open to legal challenge, as decisions made in the heat of the moment are prone to error and should not be second-guessed by judges.

In 2022, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the government, discarding Martin's lawsuit and supporting the view that this was an honest mistake.

Various public interest groups are challenging this appellate court's decision, claiming it contradicts other judicial opinions across the country and limits the ability to hold federal law enforcement accountable.

These groups are calling on the Supreme Court to overturn the 11th Circuit's ruling, emphasizing the importance of maintaining robust legal mechanisms for citizens to contest federal law enforcement errors.

The Supreme Court's ruling in this case could significantly influence future legal actions against federal law enforcement, potentially altering the balance of accountability and protection for citizens.

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