Eleventh Amendment

Definition

The Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1795, establishes the principle of sovereign immunity, which protects states from being sued in federal court by citizens of another state or by foreign citizens. This amendment is crucial in defining the limits of judicial power and ensuring that states retain a degree of immunity from lawsuits, thus impacting the legal landscape regarding governmental immunity and individual rights.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Eleventh Amendment was adopted in response to the Supreme Court's decision in Chisholm v. Georgia (1793), which allowed individuals to sue states in federal court.
2. It explicitly prohibits federal courts from hearing cases where a state is sued by a citizen of another state or by a foreign nation, thus reinforcing the idea of state sovereignty.
3. The amendment has been interpreted to extend immunity to state officials when they are acting in their official capacities, limiting individuals' ability to seek redress for violations of federal rights.
4. The Eleventh Amendment does not prevent states from being sued in their own courts or under specific federal statutes that allow for such actions.
5. Overall, the Eleventh Amendment plays a significant role in balancing the powers between state and federal governments while shaping the landscape of governmental immunity.

Review Questions

• How does the Eleventh Amendment affect an individual's ability to bring a lawsuit against a state in federal court?
  • The Eleventh Amendment limits an individual's ability to sue a state in federal court by establishing sovereign immunity. This means that if someone from another state or a foreign citizen attempts to bring a lawsuit against a state in federal court, the case will be dismissed based on this amendment. The amendment reinforces the idea that states have significant protection from lawsuits, impacting individuals' access to judicial relief against state actions.
• Discuss the historical context surrounding the ratification of the Eleventh Amendment and its intended purpose.
  • The Eleventh Amendment was ratified in 1795 following the Supreme Court's decision in Chisholm v. Georgia, where it was determined that individuals could sue states in federal court. The amendment was intended to clarify and limit the jurisdiction of federal courts over state matters, ensuring that states retain their sovereignty and are shielded from lawsuits by out-of-state citizens or foreign entities. This historical context highlights a desire among lawmakers to protect state rights while establishing a balance between federal authority and state sovereignty.
• Evaluate how the Eleventh Amendment interacts with the principle of governmental immunity and what implications this has for civil rights litigation.
  • The Eleventh Amendment is deeply intertwined with governmental immunity as it protects states and state officials from being sued for damages under federal law unless certain exceptions apply. This creates significant barriers for civil rights litigation since individuals may find it challenging to hold state actors accountable for violations of constitutional rights. The implications are substantial; while the amendment safeguards states' sovereign interests, it can hinder access to justice for individuals seeking redress for unlawful actions taken by government officials, highlighting a tension between protecting state sovereignty and ensuring individual rights.

Related terms

Sovereign Immunity: A legal doctrine that protects the state from being sued without its consent, ensuring that the government cannot be taken to court for certain actions.

State Sovereignty: The concept that states have the authority to govern themselves and make their own laws without interference from external authorities.

Federal Jurisdiction: The legal authority of federal courts to hear cases involving federal law, constitutional issues, and disputes between states or between citizens of different states.