Jamison v. McClendon Case Brief Summary | Law Case Explained

Jamison v. McClendon | 476 F. Supp. 3d 386 (2020)

In Jamison versus McClendon, we’ll see whether a police officer who violated a person’s Fourth Amendment rights was entitled to qualified immunity under Section 1983 of 42 U.S.C.

Clarence Jamison, a Black man, was driving his newly purchased Mercedes convertible through Mississippi on a road trip from Arizona to South Carolina. Nick McClendon, a White police officer, pulled Jamison over. McClendon claimed that he stopped Jamison because Jamison’s temporary tag was folded over and obstructed. During the traffic stop, Jamison provided his license, insurance, and bill of sale for the car. McClendon conducted a background check on Jamison, which came back clear. McClendon then ran a second background check through the National Criminal Information Center to get information about any potential criminal history. While McClendon was waiting for the results of the report, McClendon asked Jamison five times for permission to search Jamison’s car. Jamison refused to consent to a search of his vehicle. McClendon then lied to Jamison and stated that an anonymous person gave a tip that Jamison was transporting cocaine. McClendon promised leniency if Jamison consented to the search. McClendon also reached his arm into Jamison’s car, patted the inside of the passenger door, and pleaded with Jamison, stating, quote, “Come on, man. Let me search your car,” unquote. Eventually, Jamison agreed to the search. Jamison’s car was damaged during the search, but McClendon didn’t find any drugs. McClendon then used a drug-sniffing dog outside of Jamison’s car. The dog also failed to alert to any drugs inside of Jamison’s car. After the searches were over, Jamison was released 1 hour and 50 minutes after he was initially pulled over.

Jamison sued McClendon under Section 1983, arguing that the traffic stop violated Jamison’s Fourth Amendment rights. McClendon filed a motion for summary judgment. McClendon claimed that he was protected by qualified immunity, which shields government officials from liability unless the official violated a person’s clearly established constitutional right.

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