Quast v. City of Ontario

RICHARDSON, J.,

In this action for false arrest plaintiff appeals from summary judgment for defendant granted on the basis of judicial immunity. The sole issue presented here is whether a municipal judge is immune from civil liability when he issues an arrest warrant in the good faith mistaken belief that a traffic fine was not paid.

In 1977 plaintiff was issued a traffic citation for a signal violation in Ontario, Oregon. On the day of his scheduled appearance in court, he posted bail and forfeited it as payment of a fine. Payment was noted on the citation by signature of the municipal court…