Court says court marshal has immunity in lawsuit

By Cy Ryan

Thursday, July 7, 2016 | 4:04 p.m.

CARSON CITY — A federal appeals court has granted qualified immunity to a court marshal in a lawsuit alleging he used excessive force in removing a person from Las Vegas Justice Court.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today ruled that the court marshal, Jim Keener, has immunity that protects him from paying damages to Adam Brooks, who was evicted from the court on orders from Justice of the Peace Deborah Lippis, according to court documents.

Brooks, the owner of a bail bond company, filed suit in 2013 claiming the court marshal used excessive force in pushing him out the doors of the courtroom, documents said. He maintained his constitutional rights were violated.

Brooks and two employees were in the courtroom trying to arrest two women for allegedly failing to keep the bail bond company apprised of their whereabouts, documents said.

Lippis said the women could not be arrested, and after a ruckus broke out, she ordered two bail agents arrested, documents said. The charges were later dropped.

Brooks then entered the courtroom and told the judge her actions were illegal and threatened Lippis with a suit, document said.

Lippis then ordered Keener to escort Brooks out of the courtroom, documents said.

Brooks alleges he was shoved through the double doors of the courtroom and suffered back injuries, according to the court documents.