Fourth Amendment Violation – John Doe Procedure

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7^th Circuit Court of Appeals

Case Name: Cynthia Archer v. John T. Chisholm, et al.

Case No.: 16-2417

Officials: WOOD, Chief Judge, and BAUER and ROVNER, Circuit Judges.

Focus: Fourth Amendment Violation – John Doe Procedure

While Governor Scott Walker was leading the charge for controversial changes to Wisconsin’s public union laws, plaintiff‐appellant Cynthia Archer was at his side, drafting the law and advocating for its passage. At the same time, the Milwaukee County State’s Attorney’s Office was investigating allegations of misconduct against Archer and several of the governor’s close associates, using Wisconsin’s unique “John Doe” procedure. Archer sees a connection between the legislative campaign and the John Doe investigation. She alleges that she was targeted because of her work on the union bill and her affiliation with Governor Walker. Although Archer was never charged with wrongdoing, she filed this section 1983 action against three prosecutors and three members of the investigative team. The district court dismissed the case on the basis of immunity. We affirm.

Affirmed

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Attorney Derek A. Hawkins is the managing partner at Hawkins Law Offices LLC, where he heads up the firm’s startup law practice. He specializes in business formation, corporate governance, intellectual property protection, private equity and venture capital funding and mergers & acquisitions. Check out the website at www.hawkins-lawoffices.com or contact them at 262-737-8825.