Martin v. United States
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in Martin v. United States and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of Martin v. United States.
The Supreme Court vacated and remanded the Eleventh Circuit's decision in Martin v. United States, addressing the scope of the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) exceptions. The Court clarified that the law enforcement proviso in § 2680(h) only overrides the intentional-tort exception and not the discretionary-function exception. The Court also determined that the Supremacy Clause does not provide a defense in FTCA suits.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in Martin v. United States.
The Court held that the law enforcement proviso in § 2680(h) overrides only the intentional-tort exception, not the discretionary-function exception or other exceptions throughout § 2680.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in Martin v. United States. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Preemption is relevant to Martin v. United States
The Court addressed whether the Supremacy Clause provides a defense in FTCA suits, which involves preemption principles.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The Supremacy Clause does not afford the United States a defense in FTCA suits.
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Why State–Federal Power is relevant to Martin v. United States
The case involves the allocation of authority between state and federal governments, specifically regarding federal liability under state tort law.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The FTCA incorporates state law as the liability standard, there is typically no conflict between federal and state law for the Supremacy Clause to resolve.
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Why Judicial Review is relevant to Martin v. United States
The Court's decision involves reviewing and interpreting the scope of statutory exceptions under the FTCA.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The law enforcement proviso in § 2680(h) overrides only the intentional-tort exception in that subsection, not the discretionary-function exception or other exceptions throughout § 2680.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in Martin v. United States that support the summary and concepts above.
The FTCA waives the federal government's sovereign immunity from suit as to certain torts committed by federal employees acting within the scope of their employment.
The Supremacy Clause does not afford the United States a defense in FTCA suits.
The law enforcement proviso in § 2680(h) overrides only the intentional-tort exception in that subsection, not the discretionary-function exception or other exceptions throughout § 2680.