# Controversial encounters between law-enforcement and civilians - the omnibus thread #2

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [June 23, 2020, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531 "2020-06-23T20:29:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2300

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**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2021, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/2300 "2021-12-18T23:51:17Z")

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> [@Kevin Byrd v. Ray Lamb (Absolute immunity case, eh)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kevin-byrd-v-ray-lamb-absolute-immunity-case-eh/956198/1):
>
> Except that Mr. Lamb is also Homeland Security Agent Lamb, and an appeals court says that as a federal officer he is immune to all lawsuits and prosecution.
> 
> Hence the seeking of _certiorari_ from the SCOTUS.

I’m a bit confused.

Does this mean that any federal agents can do absolutely anything they please at any time, even when off duty… full stop? Anything, and they are immune from prosecution? One of them could rob a bank, kill the tellers and guards, take a pile of money and … Immunity? They just keep the money?

Or are they just allowed to threaten anyone they like with a gun? Where’s the line for what crimes they are allowed to commit?

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