SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – In a recent legal battle drawing national attention, two young magicians, Kadan and Brooklyn Rockett, known for their appearance on “America’s Got Talent,” have secured a partial victory in a lawsuit against Associate Circuit Judge Eric Eighmy. The siblings sued after a distressing ordeal during a custody dispute in 2019 where they were placed in holding cells by the judge himself, which led to a significant conversation on judicial immunity and children’s rights in judicial proceedings.
Attorney Hugh Eastwood, representing the Rocketts, highlighted the gravity of power misuse by quoting the French writer Voltaire during his closing argument, “With great power comes great responsibility.” He characterized Judge Eighmy’s actions as those of “a judge gone rogue.” The siblings had initiated the lawsuit in 2021, challenging their treatment during a custody handover when they expressed reluctance to go with their mother. They were 12 and 14 years old at the time.
The case revolved around accusations that Judge Eighmy had violated the children’s Fourth Amendment rights by improperly detaining them, suppressed their First Amendment rights by retaliating against their free speech, and infringed their right to due process as protected under the 14th Amendment. After hearing testimony over three days, the jury returned with a decision that held Judge Eighmy accountable for violating the siblings’ Fourth Amendment rights, though it dismissed the other claims.
Initially, the jury awarded no financial damages, prompting U.S. District Judge Douglas Harpool to intervene, reminding jurors that their decision required an award of at least nominal damages in such cases. Subsequently, the jury assigned $5,000 in damages to each sibling, a resolution that the legal team representing the Rocketts deemed a significant victory.
Eastwood communicated his satisfaction with the verdict outside the courtroom, acknowledging it as a recognition of the constitutional violations suffered by the siblings. He remarked on the case’s broader implications for judicial accountability and the protection of children’s rights in legal disputes.
The legal narrative took an important turn when the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals supported Judge Harpool’s initial decision to deny Eighmy’s claim of judicial immunity. This decision came after Eighmy attempted to shield himself by asserting that his actions were within his judicial capacity. The Appeals Court clarified that Eighmy’s manual transfer of the children to holding cells was not judicial but administrative, stripping him of the immunity normally granted to judges.
This ruling by the 8th Circuit is being hailed as a landmark decision that might influence how judges are permitted to intervene in similar cases going forward. Eastwood praised Kadan and Brooklyn for their courage in standing up for their rights and potentially shaping legal precedents that protect other children in comparable situations.
Despite the jury’s verdict, aspects of the case remain unresolved, and the legal representatives for the Rocketts, including Chris Hoell and Bevis Schock, indicated that various post-trial motions are pending. These developments follow a complex history, including a precedent set during a related incident in Louisiana in 2020 when the children were detained, a situation where judicial immunity was upheld for Eighmy’s actions.
Kadan and Brooklyn Rockett initially gained fame beyond their magic performances through their spirited fight for justice in this case, highlighting the significant influence of juvenile advocacy in the U.S. legal system.
As legal proceedings continue to unfold, the implications of this case resonate far beyond a family custody dispute, touching upon the ethical responsibilities of those in power, the limits of judicial immunity, and the rights of children entangled in legal battles. This story underscores the need for continued vigilance and advocacy to safeguard civil liberties, especially for minors in vulnerable situations.
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