Supreme Court Ruling: LDF Cheers Progress in Enhancing Police Accountability

Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court reached a unanimous verdict in Barnes v. Felix, asserting that courts should evaluate the entire context surrounding the use of police force, rather than focusing solely on the immediate moments leading to that force.In May 2025, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) and the National Urban League, with representation from O’Melveny & Myers LLP, submitted an amicus brief advocating for the abolition of the moment of threat doctrine. This harmful legal precedent has perpetuated police violence and disproportionately affected Black communities. The brief emphasizes that narrowing focus to the “moment of threat” endangers Fourth Amendment rights, as it neglects critical factors, such as racial biases influencing officer perceptions.“Each year, Black individuals face lethal encounters with police and significant barriers to achieving justice,” expressed Kevin E. Jason, LDF's Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives. “Today's ruling is a crucial shift toward enhancing accountability in law enforcement.”Founded in 1940, the LDF is America’s first civil rights law organization. Its Thurgood Marshall Institute leads innovative campaigns and research shaping civil rights discourse. Please refer to us as the Legal Defense Fund or L