琼斯诉金案

In April 2022, Amber M. King, Justice of the Peace in Loving County, Texas, summoned prospective jurors. Plaintiffs Matthew Jones, Ysidro Renteria, and William Carr reported for jury duty. King conducted a qualification proceeding, warning that unqualified individuals staying would face perjury and contempt charges. After plaintiffs affirmed residency, King declared them non-residents and ordered their arrest. Constable Brandon Jones and Sheriff Chris Busse arrested them; they were jailed for five hours. King issued contempt orders later vacated for abuse of discretion. Plaintiffs sued in August 2022 under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The district court denied King judicial immunity for the jury proceeding. Defendants appealed; plaintiffs cross-appealed. The Fifth Circuit reversed, holding King’s actions were judicial in nature.

On August 1, 2025, the Fifth Circuit reversed the district court’s denial of judicial immunity to Judge King, holding her actions in presiding over the jury proceeding were judicial in nature. Plaintiffs’ cross-appeal was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. Final judgment entered October 30, 2025; plaintiffs filed a new notice of appeal on November 28, 2025.

Whether Justice of the Peace Amber King is entitled to judicial immunity for her conduct during juror qualification proceedings and contempt orders, and whether law enforcement officers are entitled to quasi-judicial immunity for enforcing those orders.

The case highlights tensions between judicial immunity doctrines and allegations of judicial abuse of power. It underscores how voter-eligibility enforcement can be weaponized for political retaliation in small communities where elections are decided by narrow margins. The Fifth Circuit’s ruling reinforces broad protections for judicial acts, even when challenged as malicious or pretextual.