Case Summary
Teresa Sheehan, residing in a San Francisco group home due to her mental illness, faced a crisis when police were summoned by her social worker over concerns for her safety. Despite lacking a warrant, the officers entered her room, leading to a confrontation where Teresa brandished a knife. In the ensuing altercation, she was shot multiple times, sparking a legal battle where Teresa contested the violation of her Fourth Amendment rights and lack of accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. SCSJ filed a "friend of the court" brief in the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the Policy Council on Law Enforcement and the Mentally Ill. The brief focused on the importance of vigorously applying the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to police encounters.
Why it's Important
This case involved important legal questions about the interaction between the ADA and the Fourth Amendment. On behalf of its amici clients, SCSJ sought to ensure that police officers be required to account for mental illness when effectuating arrests or civil detention.
Case Documents
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SCSJ Files Friend of the Court Brief with the Supreme Court
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