Judge Dismisses Most Claims in Alec Baldwin Lawsuit
U.S. District Judge Kea Riggs granted absolute immunity to New Mexico prosecutors, dismissing the majority of Baldwin's civil claims.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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Should prosecutors be protected by absolute immunity when they face allegations of professional misconduct?
On September 30, 2026, U.S. District Judge Kea Riggs dismissed most claims in a lawsuit filed by actor Alec Baldwin against New Mexico prosecutors. The ruling concluded that most allegations against the prosecutors are protected by the doctrine of absolute prosecutorial immunity.
Why it matters
The court determined that absolute immunity is necessary to allow prosecutors to perform their duties without the fear of retaliation. This decision narrows the scope of the legal action following the 2024 dismissal of the criminal case against Baldwin.
Judge Kea Riggs ruled that most claims are barred by absolute prosecutorial immunity, though specific allegations against Mary Carmack-Altwies and Andrea Reeb regarding investigation and conduct may proceed.
The players
Kea Riggs
Kea Riggs is a U.S. District Judge who presided over the civil proceedings regarding the lawsuit filed by Alec Baldwin.
Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin is an actor who faced involuntary manslaughter charges related to a fatal shooting on a movie set.
Mary Carmack-Altwies
Mary Carmack-Altwies served as a district attorney involved in the prosecution of the case against Alec Baldwin.
Andrea Reeb
Andrea Reeb is a former special prosecutor and state representative whose dual roles were challenged in court.
Kari Morrissey
Kari Morrissey is a prosecutor who was granted absolute immunity by the court in this civil lawsuit.
The details
Judge Riggs applied immunity to protect the legal process while noting that Andrea Reeb violated the separation of powers by holding two public offices as a state representative and special prosecutor. Certain claims regarding the destruction of the gun and vague allegations remain subject to further litigation.
Timeline
October 2021: Halyna Hutchins died on the movie set in Santa Fe.
June 2022: Mary Carmack-Altwies appointed Andrea Reeb as a special prosecutor.
July 2024: The criminal case against Alec Baldwin was dismissed.
Early 2025: Alec Baldwin filed his lawsuit against state and county prosecutors.
September 30, 2026: Judge Kea Riggs issued the ruling on the prosecutors' immunity.
Legal Context
This ruling follows the 2024 dismissal of the criminal case against Alec Baldwin, serving as the latest legal development in the subsequent civil litigation against the state. The decision clarifies the application of absolute prosecutorial immunity in high-profile criminal investigations.
The ruling provides clarity on the legal standards applied to prosecutors in Santa Fe and limits the scope of future litigation in this case. Residents should monitor the upcoming decision regarding the Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners, which remains pending.
The takeaway
The court's decision underscores the difficulty of holding prosecutors civilly liable due to the high legal bar of absolute immunity. This case highlights how separation of powers issues can impact the eligibility of attorneys appointed to special public offices.
Further reading
For more background on the legal proceedings, visit the Santa Fe Criminal Justice section.
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Should prosecutors be protected by absolute immunity when they face allegations of professional misconduct?
