Supreme Court Ruling Expands Civil Rights by Rejecting 'Moment-of-Threat' Doctrine

In a landmark decision advancing constitutional protections, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously struck down the “moment-of-threat” doctrine long used to shield law enforcement from civil liability in police shootings. The case, Barnes v. Felix, stems from the 2016 killing of Ashtian Barnes, a Black man shot by Officer Roberto Felix during a traffic stop near Houston. Lower courts focused narrowly on the two seconds before the fatal shots, ignoring broader context. Justice Elena Kagan, writing for the Court, rejected that approach, declaring that Fourth Amendment evaluations must consider the totality of the circumstances—not just the final moment. The ruling empowers civilians seeking justice under Section 1983 and signals a judicial shift toward accountability. For Janice Barnes, Ashtian’s mother, this verdict is more than legal—it’s a long-awaited affirmation of her son’s humanity.