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WHITLOCK v. GREENLEE, 14-1273. (2014)

Court: Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Number: infco20140911108 Visitors: 7
Filed: Sep. 11, 2014
Latest Update: Sep. 11, 2014
Summary: UNPUBLISHED Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit. PER CURIAM. James Smith Whitlock, III, filed this 42 U.S.C. 1983 (2012) action against Jared Greenlee, alleging that, because there was no probable cause to support either a search of Whitlock's vehicle or his subsequent arrest, both the search and the arrest violated Whitlock's Fourth Amendment rights. Whitlock also raised related state law claims. Greenlee filed a motion for summary judgment based on qualified im
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UNPUBLISHED

Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.

PER CURIAM.

James Smith Whitlock, III, filed this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (2012) action against Jared Greenlee, alleging that, because there was no probable cause to support either a search of Whitlock's vehicle or his subsequent arrest, both the search and the arrest violated Whitlock's Fourth Amendment rights. Whitlock also raised related state law claims. Greenlee filed a motion for summary judgment based on qualified immunity. A magistrate judge recommended granting the motion with respect to the state law claims but denying it with respect to the Fourth Amendment claims. Over Greenlee's objections, the district court adopted the report, denying the summary judgment motion in part and granting it in part. Greenlee noted a timely appeal.

This court may exercise jurisdiction over final decisions, 28 U.S.C. § 1291 (2012), and certain interlocutory and collateral orders. 28 U.S.C. § 1292 (2012); Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(b); Cohen v. Beneficial Indus. Loan Corp., 337 U.S. 541, 545 (1949). While interlocutory orders generally are not appealable, an order denying a claim of qualified immunity is immediately appealable under the collateral order doctrine "to the extent that it turns on an issue of law." Mitchell v. Forsyth, 472 U.S. 511, 530 (1985); Iko v. Shreve, 535 F.3d 225, 234 (4th Cir. 2008). However, a district court's determination that a genuine issue of material fact exists so as to preclude summary judgment on qualified immunity grounds is not immediately appealable. Johnson v. Jones, 515 U.S. 304, 313-20 (1995); Culosi v. Bullock, 596 F.3d 195, 201 (4th Cir. 2010).

Because the qualified immunity determination in this case turns on unresolved questions of fact, we dismiss the appeal for want of jurisdiction. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

DISMISSED.

Source:  Leagle

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