William Jefferson Clinton v. Paula Corbin Jones

1. Who is unhappy?
President Bill Clinton is the unhappy party in this case.

2. Why are they unhappy?
He is unhappy because he is being sued for sexual harassment.

3. What did they do about their unhappiness?
Because the President was unhappy about the allegation he asked for the dismissal on the grounds of presidential immunity, or delay of the proceedings until his term of office will expire.

4. What happened? –Decision-Appeal- Decision
District court denied the motion for dismissal and ordered discovery to proceed but after the end of Clinton’s term. The court of appeals affirmed the denial of the motion to dismissed but reversed the stay of the trial. President Clinton appealed to the U.S Supreme Court. The decision was reversed in part. Affirmed in part in favor of Respondent, Jones.

5. What was the reason for the final decision?
This case is a good example of strategic use of the law. Even though the President knew he wasn’t innocent he was trying to delay the process and use his Presidential privileges. The Constitution affords the President temporary immunity from civil damages that occurred before he took office. President’s lawyers argued that it would be better to pull off the case until later so that the President will not be distracted during the holding office. It was decided however that it would not occupy any substantial amount of petitioner’s time. Additionally President’s lawyers brought up the issue of separation of power. The doctrine of separation of powers however does not require Federal Courts to stay all private actions against the President until he leaves office. The court decided “Whatever the outcome of this case, there is no possibility that the decision will curtail the scope of the official powers of the Executive Branch.”