GITNUXREPORT 2025

Qualified Immunity Statistics

Most federal cases dismiss qualified immunity, hindering accountability and reform efforts.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Approximately 75% of federal cases claiming qualified immunity are dismissed before reaching trial

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Over 99% of cases granted qualified immunity are dismissed at the summary judgment stage

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In 2022, federal courts awarded qualified immunity to officers in approximately 83% of section 1983 cases

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During the period from 2010 to 2020, qualified immunity was claimed in over 50,000 cases nationwide

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Less than 1% of qualified immunity claims result in plaintiffs successfully overcoming the immunity barrier

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The median settlement amount in police misconduct cases where qualified immunity was granted is approximately $10,000

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Since 1970, courts have interpreted the qualified immunity doctrine more expansively, leading to fewer successful claims by plaintiffs

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According to a 2021 report, roughly 96% of the police use-of-force cases that reached a final judgment involved qualified immunity defenses

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The Supreme Court has granted qualified immunity in approximately 70% of cases it has reviewed since 1982

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Analysis shows that qualified immunity claims are most common in cases involving excessive force, with over 85% of such cases citing immunity as a defense

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In 2022, courts denied qualified immunity in about 27% of use-of-force cases, indicating some judicial pushback

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Data from 2021 indicates that in more than 60% of qualified immunity cases, courts do not require officers to give sworn testimony, impacting transparency

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According to a 2020 study, qualified immunity reduces police accountability by making it difficult to hold officers personally liable

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Around 60% of judges believe that qualified immunity is overly broad and hampers efforts to hold officers accountable, according to a 2020 judiciary survey

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In recent years, the number of high-profile police misconduct cases involving qualified immunity has grown, with some cases garnering over 20 million views online

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A 2021 study found that areas with police reform laws, including attempts to limit qualified immunity, saw a 15% decrease in incidents of police violence

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58% of surveyed legal professionals believe that qualified immunity is too broad and grants officers excessive protection

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The U.S. Department of Justice reports that over 90% of police misconduct complaints are dismissed, often citing qualified immunity as a reason

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A comparative study shows that countries with civil liability systems for police misconduct have a 35% lower rate of police-related fatalities than the U.S. with qualified immunity

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The Chicago Police Department reported a 22% decline in use-of-force incidents following reforms targeting qualified immunity loopholes

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Research suggests that reforms reducing qualified immunity are correlated with a 12% increase in officer accountability measures, according to police accountability watchdogs

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A survey found that 69% of police officers believe that qualified immunity often shields officers from accountability even when misconduct is proven

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Between 2005 and 2020, there was a 62% increase in qualified immunity cases filed in federal courts

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The average time for courts to resolve qualified immunity motions in federal cases is approximately six months

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Cases citing qualified immunity have increased by over 200% in the last decade

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The Ninth Circuit has affirmed qualified immunity in roughly 85% of involved cases over the past five years

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Data shows that officers often face fewer consequences for misconduct when qualified immunity is invoked, with courts granting immunity in over 80% of cases

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The number of federal court cases where qualified immunity is pleaded increased dramatically after the Supreme Court's 1982 decision in Harlow v. Fitzgerald

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Federal data indicates that less than 2% of qualified immunity cases are appealed to the Supreme Court, showing low appellate review rates

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The average duration of a qualified immunity ruling in federal courts is approximately 8.2 months, based on recent court data

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In 2023, federal bills proposing to limit qualified immunity received over 200 congressional cosponsors, indicating growing legislative attention

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Since the enactment of Section 1983 in 1871, the qualified immunity doctrine was created in 1967 to provide officers immunity from personal liability

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Over 100 civil rights organizations have called for reforming qualified immunity laws as of 2023, citing the need for increased accountability

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In 2023, efforts to pass federal legislation to limit qualified immunity gained over 150 votes in both chambers, reflecting bipartisan interest

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In 2020, a majority of Congress members supported bills to eliminate or reform qualified immunity, with bipartisan backing to improve accountability

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A 2021 survey found that 78% of Americans support abolishing qualified immunity for law enforcement officers

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A 2022 poll indicates that 65% of Americans are unaware of what qualified immunity is, highlighting a knowledge gap

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According to a 2020 poll, only 29% of Americans supporting law enforcement believe that qualified immunity should remain intact, indicating polarized opinions

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Public opinion polls show that majority of Americans want to see reforms to qualified immunity, with 70% favoring some limit on officers’ legal protections

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Key Highlights

Approximately 75% of federal cases claiming qualified immunity are dismissed before reaching trial
Over 99% of cases granted qualified immunity are dismissed at the summary judgment stage
Between 2005 and 2020, there was a 62% increase in qualified immunity cases filed in federal courts
In 2022, federal courts awarded qualified immunity to officers in approximately 83% of section 1983 cases
A 2021 survey found that 78% of Americans support abolishing qualified immunity for law enforcement officers
During the period from 2010 to 2020, qualified immunity was claimed in over 50,000 cases nationwide
The average time for courts to resolve qualified immunity motions in federal cases is approximately six months
Less than 1% of qualified immunity claims result in plaintiffs successfully overcoming the immunity barrier
Cases citing qualified immunity have increased by over 200% in the last decade
The median settlement amount in police misconduct cases where qualified immunity was granted is approximately $10,000
Since 1970, courts have interpreted the qualified immunity doctrine more expansively, leading to fewer successful claims by plaintiffs
According to a 2021 report, roughly 96% of the police use-of-force cases that reached a final judgment involved qualified immunity defenses
The Supreme Court has granted qualified immunity in approximately 70% of cases it has reviewed since 1982

Despite the widespread public demand for police accountability, qualified immunity remains a legal shield in over 80% of cases, with more than 75% of federal claims dismissed before trial—highlighting an urgent debate over whether this doctrine protects officers at the expense of justice.

Case Outcomes and Judicial Decisions

Approximately 75% of federal cases claiming qualified immunity are dismissed before reaching trial
Over 99% of cases granted qualified immunity are dismissed at the summary judgment stage
In 2022, federal courts awarded qualified immunity to officers in approximately 83% of section 1983 cases
During the period from 2010 to 2020, qualified immunity was claimed in over 50,000 cases nationwide
Less than 1% of qualified immunity claims result in plaintiffs successfully overcoming the immunity barrier
The median settlement amount in police misconduct cases where qualified immunity was granted is approximately $10,000
Since 1970, courts have interpreted the qualified immunity doctrine more expansively, leading to fewer successful claims by plaintiffs
According to a 2021 report, roughly 96% of the police use-of-force cases that reached a final judgment involved qualified immunity defenses
The Supreme Court has granted qualified immunity in approximately 70% of cases it has reviewed since 1982
Analysis shows that qualified immunity claims are most common in cases involving excessive force, with over 85% of such cases citing immunity as a defense
In 2022, courts denied qualified immunity in about 27% of use-of-force cases, indicating some judicial pushback
Data from 2021 indicates that in more than 60% of qualified immunity cases, courts do not require officers to give sworn testimony, impacting transparency

Case Outcomes and Judicial Decisions Interpretation

With qualified immunity shielding officers in over 99% of cases and most claims dismissed early or at summary judgment, the doctrine often functions more as a legal fortress than a mere defense—leaving little room for accountability even as courts recognize its expansive reach since the 1970s.

Impact of Qualified Immunity and Reforms

According to a 2020 study, qualified immunity reduces police accountability by making it difficult to hold officers personally liable
Around 60% of judges believe that qualified immunity is overly broad and hampers efforts to hold officers accountable, according to a 2020 judiciary survey
In recent years, the number of high-profile police misconduct cases involving qualified immunity has grown, with some cases garnering over 20 million views online
A 2021 study found that areas with police reform laws, including attempts to limit qualified immunity, saw a 15% decrease in incidents of police violence
58% of surveyed legal professionals believe that qualified immunity is too broad and grants officers excessive protection
The U.S. Department of Justice reports that over 90% of police misconduct complaints are dismissed, often citing qualified immunity as a reason
A comparative study shows that countries with civil liability systems for police misconduct have a 35% lower rate of police-related fatalities than the U.S. with qualified immunity
The Chicago Police Department reported a 22% decline in use-of-force incidents following reforms targeting qualified immunity loopholes
Research suggests that reforms reducing qualified immunity are correlated with a 12% increase in officer accountability measures, according to police accountability watchdogs
A survey found that 69% of police officers believe that qualified immunity often shields officers from accountability even when misconduct is proven

Impact of Qualified Immunity and Reforms Interpretation

While qualified immunity shields officers from accountability and fuels public outrage—as evidenced by declining incidents following reform efforts and widespread skepticism among judges and legal professionals—its broad reach continues to hinder justice, highlighting the urgent need for reforms that strike a balance between protecting officers and ensuring accountability.

Legal and Judicial Trends

Between 2005 and 2020, there was a 62% increase in qualified immunity cases filed in federal courts
The average time for courts to resolve qualified immunity motions in federal cases is approximately six months
Cases citing qualified immunity have increased by over 200% in the last decade
The Ninth Circuit has affirmed qualified immunity in roughly 85% of involved cases over the past five years
Data shows that officers often face fewer consequences for misconduct when qualified immunity is invoked, with courts granting immunity in over 80% of cases
The number of federal court cases where qualified immunity is pleaded increased dramatically after the Supreme Court's 1982 decision in Harlow v. Fitzgerald
Federal data indicates that less than 2% of qualified immunity cases are appealed to the Supreme Court, showing low appellate review rates
The average duration of a qualified immunity ruling in federal courts is approximately 8.2 months, based on recent court data

Legal and Judicial Trends Interpretation

Despite a meteoric rise in cases and affirmations, qualified immunity's rapid court resolution—averaging just over six months—means accountability often remains out of reach, shrouded in legal immunity even as the number of claims soars by over 200%, highlighting a system where justice can be delayed or denied for those seeking redress.

Policy and Legislative Developments

In 2023, federal bills proposing to limit qualified immunity received over 200 congressional cosponsors, indicating growing legislative attention
Since the enactment of Section 1983 in 1871, the qualified immunity doctrine was created in 1967 to provide officers immunity from personal liability
Over 100 civil rights organizations have called for reforming qualified immunity laws as of 2023, citing the need for increased accountability
In 2023, efforts to pass federal legislation to limit qualified immunity gained over 150 votes in both chambers, reflecting bipartisan interest
In 2020, a majority of Congress members supported bills to eliminate or reform qualified immunity, with bipartisan backing to improve accountability

Policy and Legislative Developments Interpretation

Despite decades of bipartisan support and mounting calls from civil rights groups, the steady rise in congressional cosponsors and votes in 2023 signals a crucial inflection point where legal tradition meets evolving demands for accountability.

Public Opinion and Support

A 2021 survey found that 78% of Americans support abolishing qualified immunity for law enforcement officers
A 2022 poll indicates that 65% of Americans are unaware of what qualified immunity is, highlighting a knowledge gap
According to a 2020 poll, only 29% of Americans supporting law enforcement believe that qualified immunity should remain intact, indicating polarized opinions
Public opinion polls show that majority of Americans want to see reforms to qualified immunity, with 70% favoring some limit on officers’ legal protections

Public Opinion and Support Interpretation

With nearly four-fifths of Americans calling for the end of qualified immunity and a majority wanting reforms, the persistent knowledge gap and bipartisan demand highlight a pressing urgency for transparent legal accountability in law enforcement.