Which case addressed the use of deadly force against a fleeing felon?

Which case addressed the use of deadly force against a fleeing felon?

• A. Graham v. Connor
• B. Berkemer v. McCarty
• C. Tennessee v. Garner
• D. New York v. Quarles

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is the limits on using deadly force against a fleeing suspect under the Fourth Amendment. Tennessee v. Garner holds that an officer cannot use deadly force to prevent the escape of a fleeing suspect who is merely fleeing unless there is probable cause to believe the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or to others. This ruling struck down the old “fleeing felon” rule and requires that the threat be imminent and significant, evaluated from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene. In practice, this means deadly force may be used to stop a fleeing felon only if there’s a clear and serious threat, not simply to prevent escape. Graham v. Connor is about applying an objective reasonableness standard to all use-of-force decisions, focusing on the officer’s perspective at the moment, not specifically on the fleeing felon rule. Berkemer v. McCarty deals with whether a stopped motorist is in custody for Miranda purposes during a traffic stop. New York v. Quarles addresses a public-safety exception to Miranda when immediate action is required for safety.

The main idea here is the limits on using deadly force against a fleeing suspect under the Fourth Amendment. Tennessee v. Garner holds that an officer cannot use deadly force to prevent the escape of a fleeing suspect who is merely fleeing unless there is probable cause to believe the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or to others. This ruling struck down the old “fleeing felon” rule and requires that the threat be imminent and significant, evaluated from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene.

In practice, this means deadly force may be used to stop a fleeing felon only if there’s a clear and serious threat, not simply to prevent escape.

Graham v. Connor is about applying an objective reasonableness standard to all use-of-force decisions, focusing on the officer’s perspective at the moment, not specifically on the fleeing felon rule. Berkemer v. McCarty deals with whether a stopped motorist is in custody for Miranda purposes during a traffic stop. New York v. Quarles addresses a public-safety exception to Miranda when immediate action is required for safety.