A damages claim is barred unless the conviction has been reversed, expunged, or invalidated, where success would necessarily imply its invalidity. Claims not implicating the conviction's validity proceed.
Application depends on the specific claim's relationship to the conviction.
Alternative Names:
Heck v. Humphrey Bar|Favorable Termination Rule
Why it Matters?
Excessive force claims frequently survive the bar because a conviction for resisting arrest does not necessarily preclude a finding that officers used excessive force during that arrest, which is the distinction plaintiffs invoke. Claims challenging the arrest's lawfulness where the plaintiff was convicted of the underlying offense are barred. Analyzing whether success would necessarily imply invalidity, rather than merely undermine the conviction, is the required inquiry.
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Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Do excessive force claims survive the bar?
What is the required inquiry?
