Maria Ponomarenko

Prof. Maria Ponomarenko Discusses Qualified Immunity with CBS News Minnesota

Professsor Maria Ponomarenko spoke with CBS News Minnesota about the doctrine of qualified immunity, which shields officers from liability when they violate constitutional rights. Ponomarenko explained that although originally intended to provide officers with a bit of leeway when acting in fast-moving situations, it has over the years become a substantial obstacle to accountability:  "in practice it means that lots and lots of victims never recover ... [and] there aren't enough incentives for departments to reform.”