Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Litigation And Immunity topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
ULCT board unanimously agrees to join amicus brief defending governmental‑immunity in negligent‑policing wrongful‑death suits
Summary
After staff recommended backing Salt Lake City's appeal, the ULCT board voted unanimously to sign an amicus brief arguing the Governmental Immunity Act applies in pending negligent‑policing wrongful‑death lawsuits. The motion was moved by Mayor Lauren Palmer and seconded by Council member Mary Winch.
The Utah League of Cities and Towns board voted unanimously to sign an amicus brief supporting Salt Lake City’s argument that the Governmental Immunity Act bars certain negligent‑policing wrongful‑death claims.
Staff explained two parallel district‑court cases (Moab and Salt Lake City) raising the same legal question: whether cities remain protected from wrongful‑death suits tied to alleged negligent policing. Staff recommended ULCT join existing amicus filings in the Moab case and sign a corresponding brief in the Salt Lake City appeal so the courts would have broader municipal perspective when resolving the immunity question.
Board members discussed the potential consequences if courts narrowed governmental immunity. One board member with plaintiff‑practice experience said a changed standard could substantially increase the number of suits and, in turn, financial exposure for municipalities; other members raised concerns about the policy incentives such a change could create for law enforcement practices.
Mayor Lauren Palmer made the motion to join the amicus brief; Council member Mary Winch seconded. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
