Barnes v. Felix

Barnes v. Felix is a SCOTUS in the Classroom case. It was argued on January 22, 2025.

This case will decide if courts across the country should evaluate the “moment of the threat” or “totality of the circumstances” when deciding lawsuits about Fourth Amendment violations involving police excessive force.

Each term Street Law selects the most classroom-relevant, student-friendly cases as our SCOTUS in the Classroom cases. Teachers are encouraged to conduct moot courts the same week the case is argued, giving students the opportunity to follow discussion and analysis in the news and listen to or read a transcript of the actual oral arguments.

Case Issue:

Should courts apply the “moment of the threat” doctrine when evaluating an excessive force claim under the Fourth Amendment?

Case Briefs:

• Brief of Petitioner: Barnes
• Brief of Respondents: Felix

Oral Argument:

• Audio recording and transcript of the oral argument from the Supreme Court

Decision:

• Link to the opinion of the Court (to be linked after the decision is announced)

News Articles:

• Newsweek by Sophie Clark: “Case of Cop Cleared in 2016 Fatal Shooting to Be Reviewed by Supreme Court,” (October 10, 2024)
• Police 1 by Tyson Kilbey: “The Barnes v. Felix case brings a federal circuit split to the Supreme Court, challenging whether deadly force should be judged at the “moment of threat” or under a broader ‘totality of circumstances’ approach,” (November 14, 2024)

How to Conduct a Moot Court or a Mini-Moot Court: 

• Classroom Guide to Moot Courts 
• Mini-Moot Courts Resource Bundle and Video