Abraham v. Piechowski

DECISION AND .ORDER

ADELMAN, District Judge.

This case raises the important question of whether, when enforcing the law, a sheriff represents the county or the state, and the related question of whether, in view of Wisconsin constitutional and statutory changes, the Seventh Circuit’s last pronouncement on the issue has continuing force. The issue is important because of the Eleventh Amendment. If a sheriff acts on behalf of the state rather than the county when enforcing the law, Eleventh Amendment immunity protects the sheriff from being liable for damages in federal court. I find, however,…