What does qualified immunity protect law enforcement officers from?

Qualified immunity is a legal doctrine that shields law enforcement officers from civil suits when they are performing their official duties, provided their conduct does not violate a statutory or constitutional right that was clearly established at the time of the incident. This means that if an officer can demonstrate that their actions did not breach a clearly established law or constitutional right, they are protected from civil liability.

This doctrine is intended to allow officers to perform their duties without the fear of constant litigation, enabling them to make split-second decisions in the line of duty. Importantly, qualified immunity does not offer blanket protection from all legal actions; it specifically protects against civil suits for damages when no such violations have occurred.

The other options are less accurate in describing the scope of qualified immunity. It does not provide protection from criminal prosecution, as criminal acts committed by officers can still lead to charges. Moreover, it does not protect against all forms of civil liability; rather, it applies specifically to cases where no clear statutory or constitutional violation is established. Lastly, immunity does not extend to administrative reviews, as these are separate processes dealing with professional conduct rather than legal liability in civil court.