What describes the legal basis for qualified immunity?

• A. It shields officials in all circumstances.
• B. It applies only to federal employees.
• C. It protects officials unless they violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights.
• D. It depends on the officer's years of service.

Answer: (B)

Qualified immunity is a protection for government officials from civil liability for actions taken in the course of their official duties, as long as those actions didn’t violate rights that were clearly established at the time. The key phrase is "clearly established" rights—meaning a reasonable official would know, based on prior precedent, that the conduct was unlawful. Because of this standard, officials aren’t shielded in every situation, and the protection isn’t limited to federal employees; it also covers state and local officials in appropriate civil-rights cases. It does not depend on how long an officer has served.