The Supreme Court ruled on June 30 that a man claiming he was physically abused in federal prison may not pursue a specific kind of lawsuit against prison officials for damages.
That variety of lawsuit is known as a Bivens action, based on Bivens v. Six Unknown Federal Narcotics Agents (1971). In that ruling, the Supreme Court held that individuals may sue government officials for violations of their Fourth Amendment rights. That amendment shields individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.
