Butz v. Economou 438 U.S. 478 (1978)

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BUTZ v. ECONOMOU 438 U.S. 478 (1978)

In an action against the Department of Agriculture and individual department officials for alleged constitutional violations, the Court united two previously separate doctrinal strands governing official liability. Butz indicated that immunity from personal liability of federal executive officials in direct actions under the Constitution would be available only under circumstances in which state executive officials would be immune from analogous constitutional actions under section 1983, title 42, united states code. Butz also extended absolute immunity to judicial and prosecutorial officials within an administrative agency.

Theodore Eisenberg
(1986)

(see also: Executive Immunity; Judicial Immunity.)