Puerto Rico Journalists' Association v. Mueller
Summary
On February 10, 2006, FBI agents executing a warrant in San Juan, Puerto Rico, searched the home of an activist associated with the Puerto Rican independence movement. After the search, a group of journalists waiting outside the condominium complex approached the agents for comment. In response, the agents pepper-sprayed the journalists, hit them with batons, and kicked and punched them, hospitalizing some reporters.
The ACLU represented the journalists in a lawsuit against the FBI in the U.S. District Court in Puerto Rico, charging the unprovoked attack violated the journalists’ First Amendment right to gather news and their Fourth Amendment protections from excessive force. A federal judge ruled against the reporters in June 2007.
But a federal appeals court partially reversed that decision in 2008, holding that the lower court erred in dismissing the journalists’ Fourth Amendment excessive-force claims. In August 2009, the U.S. District Court again threw out the journalists’ lawsuit. While acknowledging the FBI agents may have violated the reporters’ rights, the judge still ruled the journalists could neither collect damages nor obtain a court order barring the FBI from attacking them again. The ACLU is appealing the ruling.
Legal Documents
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11/05/2007
Puerto Rico Journalists' Association v. Mueller - Brief of Appellants
Date Filed: 11/05/2007
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09/20/2006
Puerto Rico Journalists' Association v. Mueller - Complaint and Jury Demand
Date Filed: 09/20/2006
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09/10/2009
Puerto Rico Journalists' Association v. Mueller - Notice of Appeal
Date Filed: 09/10/2009
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09/04/2009
Puerto Rico Journalists' Association v. Mueller - Second Redacted Opinion and Order
Date Filed: 09/04/2009
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06/25/2010
Puerto Rico Journalists' Association v. Mueller - Reply Brief for the Plaintiffs-Appellants
Date Filed: 06/25/2010
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06/18/2008
Puerto Rico Journalists' Association v. Mueller - Decision
Date Filed: 06/18/2008
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06/13/2007
Puerto Rico Journalists' Association v. Mueller - District Court Opinion and Order
Date Filed: 06/13/2007
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01/25/2008
Puerto Rico Journalists' Association v. Mueller - Reply Brief of Appellants
Date Filed: 01/25/2008
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01/16/2008
Puerto Rico Journalists' Association v. Mueller - Brief for Appellees
Date Filed: 01/16/2008
Download DocumentPress Releases
ACLU Appeals Ruling That FBI Agents Who Attacked Journalists Can't Be Held Responsible
ACLU Asks Judge To Review Lawsuit Challenging FBI Brutality