Elder v. Holloway

This case presents the question whether an appellate court, reviewing a judgment according public officials quali fied immunity from a damages suit charging violation of a federal right, must disregard relevant legal authority not presented to, or considered by, the court of first instance. We hold that appellate review of qualified immunity dispositions is to be conducted in light of all relevant precedents, not simply those cited to, or discovered by, the district court.

I

In April 1987, police officers in Idaho learned that Charles Elder was wanted by Florida authorities. They set out to…