Criminal Justice

Michigan Judge Can Be Sued for Livestreaming a Mock Hearing of Teen Who Fell Asleep on a Field Trip

The Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit ruled that judicial immunity did not cover Kenneth King's "scared straight" approach to a sleepy 15-year-old.

Christian Britschgi | 9.9.2026 3:15 PM

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(36th District Court/Youtube)

The Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit ruled that a Michigan judge can be sued for ordering the handcuffing and detention of a teenager who'd fallen asleep in his courtroom during a field trip. 

While judges enjoy broad immunity from lawsuits for their official acts, the 6th Circuit ruled that Judge Kenneth King was acting well outside his official capacity when, in August 2024, he had........

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