Barnes v. Felix and the Fight for Police Accountability in America

There is a case before the United States Supreme Court right now that could change how we pursue justice for victims of police shootings across this country.

It is called Barnes v. Felix.

At its heart, the case asks a critical question: When police officers use deadly force against someone who poses no immediate threat, should they be held accountable? The stakes could not be higher, not just for the Barnes family, but for every family who has lost a loved one to state-sanctioned violence.

At Walton + Brown, we represent families who are living with that loss every day. We know what it means to fight for answers after police pull the trigger and try to rewrite the story. And we know that justice in these cases has never come easy.

What Is Barnes v. Felix About?

Barnes v. Felix asks the Supreme Court to decide whether police officers can be sued when they shoot someone who was not actively threatening them at the time of the shooting.

In this case, the officer’s defense is based on “qualified immunity”, a legal doctrine that often shields officers from civil lawsuits, even in cases involving deadly force. If the Court sides with Felix, it would make it even harder for families to hold officers accountable, even in the most blatant acts of excessive force.

A ruling is expected this term.

Why This Matters

We have represented families across Ohio and beyond who are mourning children, siblings, and parents killed by police. In too many of those cases, officers claim they “feared for their safety”, even when the evidence shows no threat, no weapon, no justification.

In the case of Casey Goodson Jr., for example, the officer fired six times into Casey’s back as he entered his own home carrying sandwiches, posing no immediate threat. In the case of Ta’Kiya Young, an officer shot into a car with a young pregnant mother behind the wheel, again posing no immediate threat. In both cases, as in so many others, the question of whether police faced an actual threat has been twisted beyond recognition.

If the Supreme Court limits the ability to challenge those shootings in court, it sends a clear message: the government can take your life, and the law will not question it.

This Is About More Than One Case

Barnes v. Felix is about more than one shooting or one officer. It is about whether the courts will continue to allow a culture of violence and immunity to exist behind a badge.

If you or your loved one has been the victim of police misconduct, know this - you are not alone, and you are not without options. These cases are difficult. The system is built to protect itself. But that does not mean the truth cannot be told and accountability cannot be demanded.

At Walton + Brown, we investigate, we expose, and we fight. We are committed to standing with families in the hardest moments, not just to seek justice in the courtroom but to shift the systems that make this violence possible in the first place.

Want to talk? Schedule a free, no-pressure consultation with our team today. We are here when you are ready.

Contact our firm today at 614-636-3476 or visit us online at WaltonBrownLaw.com.