Missouri Judge Locks Up Two Children in Juvenile Detention After They Refuse to Go with Their Mother — Federal Appeals Court Strips His Immunity Defense: “Judges Do Not Do Double Duty as Jailers”

A federal appeals court ruled that Missouri Circuit Judge Eric Eighmy violated the constitutional rights of two children by ordering them locked in juvenile detention cells for refusing to leave with their mother. The court upheld a jury’s award of $10,000 in damages and over $326,000 in attorney fees and costs against the judge. The Eighth Circuit rejected Eighmy’s claims of judicial and qualified immunity, stating that judges do not act as jailers when they personally detain individuals.

• The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled against Missouri Circuit Judge Eric Eighmy.
• The judge violated the constitutional rights of Kadan and Brooklyn Rockett by ordering them detained.
• A jury awarded the children $10,000 in damages, and the court awarded $326,637.22 in attorney fees and costs.
• The judge’s actions, including personally escorting the children to cells, exceeded his judicial authority.
• The court rejected the judge’s claims of judicial and qualified immunity.