WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously held that an Atlanta family’s lawsuit may proceed against an FBI SWAT team that raided their house by mistake. The Court’s decision explains that the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) allows people to sue the federal government when its agents violate individual rights—intentionally or by accident. Toi Cliatt, Trina Martin, and Trina’s son, Gabe, are represented by the Institute for Justice (IJ).
“Today the Supreme Court confirmed that victims of federal abuse have a powerful tool to seek accountability,” said IJ Senior Attorney Patrick Jaicomo. “The decision also opened several doors for this case and the Institute for Justice to continue the fight to protect the rights of everyday people against the federal government and its agents.”
“This is a victory for us but also for everyone who is fighting for accountability and justice,” said Trina. “This isn’t over, but we look forward to continuing the fight. What happened to us was wrong and should never happen to anyone. I’ve been praying constantly about our case, and it is amazing to have those prayers be heard.”
The Court recognized that the family’s home was plainly not the house the SWAT team had a warrant to raid. As the Court noted, “it seems the agents neither noticed the street sign for ‘Denville Trace,’ nor the house number, which was visible on the mailbox at the end of the driveway.” Faced with these facts, the Court rejected the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ “restrictive and defendant-friendly view” that the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause bars relief under the FTCA.
“This decision sends a clear signal to lower courts across the country,” said IJ Attorney Dylan Moore. “The FTCA means what it says—courts should not invent exceptions out of whole cloth to let the government escape accountability.”
The Supreme Court sent the case back to the 11th Circuit urging a “careful reexamination” of the case. On remand, IJ and the Martin family will have the opportunity to explain why claims like theirs do not fall into any of the FTCA’s exceptions. Federal officers lack the discretion to raid the wrong house or, more broadly, to act unconstitutionally or carelessly in their work.
“The Supreme Court’s decision in the Martin case is another important milestone in our work to challenge unjustified immunity doctrines and to hold government officials accountable when they violate the law,” said IJ President and Chief Counsel Scott Bullock. “Today’s victory for the Martin family is a victory for all Americans who seek to secure their rights and to have their day in court.”
The Institute for Justice is a nonprofit, public interest law firm that protects property rights and fights for accountability when the government violates constitutional rights. Just this week, IJ filed an FTCA case on behalf of an Arizona woman mistakenly arrested by U.S. Marshals. IJ is also continuing to fight for compensation for property owners who suffered damage from SWAT teams in California, Indiana, and North Carolina.