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Butz v. Economou

Butz v. Economou Supreme Court of the United States Argued November 7, 1977 Decided June 29, 1978 Full case name Earl L. Butz et al., Petitioners, v. Arthur N. Economou et al. Citations 438 U.S. 478 (more) 98 S. Ct. 2894, 57 L. Ed. 2d 895 Argument Oral argument Case history Prior Economou v. US Dept. of Agriculture, 535 F.2d 688 (2d Cir. 1976). Holding Neither Barr v. Matteo, 360 U. S. 564, nor Spalding v. Vilas, 161 U. S. 483, supports petitioners' contention that all of the federal officials sued in this case are absolutely immune from any liability for damages even if, in the course of enforcing the relevant statutes, they infringed respondent's constitutional rights, and even if the violation was knowing and deliberate. Court membership Chief Justice Warren E. Burger Associate Justices William J. Brennan Jr. · Potter Stewart Byron White · Thurgood Marshall Harry Blackmun · Lewis F. Powell Jr. William Rehnquist · John P. Stevens Case opinions Majority White, joined by Brennan, Marshall, Blackmun, Powell Concur/dissent Rehnquist, joined by Burger, Stewart, Stevens