No. 24-887

Johnny Moats, Sheriff, Polk County, Georgia, et al. v. Stephen Jarrard

Lower Court: Eleventh Circuit
Docketed: 2025-02-19
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Tags: first-amendment jail-ministry pickering-garcetti-framework qualified-immunity unbridled-discretion volunteer-religious-work
Key Terms:
SocialSecurity FirstAmendment CriminalProcedure JusticiabilityDoctri
Latest Conference: 2025-05-15
Question Presented (from Petition)

1. Whether the Court's Pickering-Garcetti framework applies to a First Amendment claim by an applicant for volunteer religious work in a local jail's program for inmates.

2. If the Pickering-Garcetti framework does not apply, whether a jail policy that lacks standards compliant with the First Amendment "unbridled discretion" doctrine is a basis for a damages claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, where an official's decision under the policy is made within a reasonable time and for a reason that does not violate the First Amendment.

3. Whether it was clearly established that the Pickering-Garcetti framework did not apply, and that petitioners' conduct violated clearly established law, thereby justifying denial of qualified immunity.

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the Court's Pickering-Garcetti framework applies to a First Amendment claim by an applicant for volunteer religious work in a local jail's program for inmates

Docket Entries

2025-05-19
Petition DENIED.
2025-04-23
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 5/15/2025.
2025-04-04
Brief of Stephen Jarrard in opposition submitted.
2025-04-04
2025-03-10
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including April 4, 2025.
2025-03-07
Motion of Stephen Jarrard for an extension of time submitted.
2025-03-07
Motion to extend the time to file a response from March 21, 2025 to April 4, 2025, submitted to The Clerk.
2025-02-07
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due March 21, 2025)

Attorneys

Sheriff Johnny Moats, et al.
Terry E. WilliamsWilliams, Morris & Blum, LLC, Petitioner
Stephen Jarrard
John Archer MeiserLindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic, Respondent