An appeals court says travelers are able to sue the government over mistreatment of TSA officers during searches.
The court overturned a previous ruling which argued they are immune from prosecution.
The latest ruling says TSA screeners act like law enforcement as they conduct searches for violations of federal law.
The government argued screeners should be immune due to the specific practice of airport screening that all airline passengers consent to.
That alone shouldn’t protect them from legal action, the appeal court noted, especially as they are approved to conduct invasive searches.
By not overruling, travelers would have no legal process to contest being assaulted, wrongfully detained or being hit with bogus charges.
The issue was raised after passenger claimed screeners damaged her property and then accused her of assault.
She was arrested but acquitted at trial.
She later unsuccessfully attempted to sue the TSA.
