Criminal Justice Practice Exam

Which US Supreme Court decision significantly restricted the use of deadly force by police?

1. Woodson v. North Carolina

2. Tennessee v. Garner

3. Furman v. Georgia

4. Esobedo v. Illinois

The correct answer is: Tennessee v. Garner

The decision in Tennessee v. Garner is pivotal because it established clear legal guidelines regarding the use of deadly force by law enforcement. The case arose from an incident where police shot and killed a fleeing suspect, which led the Supreme Court to evaluate the constitutionality of using lethal force in the apprehension of criminals. The Court ruled that the use of deadly force against a fleeing suspect is unconstitutional unless it is necessary to prevent the suspect from escaping and the officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others. This ruling emphasized that the government's interest in apprehending a suspect must be balanced against the individual's right to life, reinforcing the concept that law enforcement must use proportionality in their response. This decision significantly influenced police procedures and policies across the country, ensuring that deadly force is only used as a last resort under specific circumstances, thereby enhancing protections for citizens against excessive use of force. Other cases listed, such as Woodson v. North Carolina, Furman v. Georgia, and Esobedo v. Illinois, involve different legal issues or context within the criminal justice system and do not pertain specifically to police use of deadly force.