Supreme Court makes it easier to sue the police for malicious prosecution

The U.S Supreme Court building is seen at dusk in Washington on Oct. 22, 2021. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

J. Scott Applewhite / J. Scott Applewhite

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday made it easier to sue police and prosecutors for malicious prosecution. But the decision still leaves in place other barriers to such lawsuits.

At the center of the ruling is a case of diaper rash. Yes, diaper rash.

Larry Thompson was living with his then fiancée (now wife) and their newborn baby when his sister-in-law, who apparently suffered from mental illness, called 911, claiming that Thompson was abusing the baby. When EMT officers arrived, they were admitted to the apartment by the sister-in-law, but Thompson, unaware of her 911 call, told them they must have the wrong address.