FEDERALCourt of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
2011

Roth v. Guzman

650 F.3d 603Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit • Decided 2011Reversed
Liquidated DamagesCited 98 times

HOLDING

This case involves the Driver's Privacy Protection Act and whether state motor vehicle officials can be held liable for sharing personal information. The court ruled that officials have qualified immunity when they disclose information based on a written request claiming a permitted purpose, even if the requester later misuses that information. For construction subcontractors, this means that government agencies generally cannot be sued for privacy violations when they follow proper procedures and rely on a requester's stated legitimate purpose.

KEY FINDINGS

Liquidated Damages

Government agencies are protected from lawsuits when they disclose information based on written representations of lawful purpose, even if misuse occurs later

FULL COURT OPINION