Jonathan A. Kobes

The judge claimed absolute judicial immunity, the powerful shield that normally protects judges from personal lawsuits, even for erroneous or malicious decisions made in their judicial capacity.

The Eighth Circuit, in an opinion by Judge David Strass, joined by Chief Judge Lavinski Smith and Judge Jonathan Kobes, rejected that defense for the personal jailing.

Quote, 'When J- when Judge Eric Emery had courthouse officers locked two children in holding cells because they refused to leave with their mother following a custody hearing, he violated their clearly established Fourth Amendment rights.' End quote.

The court rejected E- uh, Eighmy's qualified immunity defense and dismissed his renewed attempt to invoke judicial immunity on procedural grounds.