Butz v. Economou, 438 U.S. 478 (1978), was a United States Supreme Court case decided in 1978 regarding the degree of legal immunity afforded to federal government officials when they are sued on constitutional grounds.

The court held that such officials were entitled only to qualified immunity, except for those duties for which absolute immunity could be shown to be essential.

The majority also acknowledged that "there are some officials whose special functions require a full exemption from liability", including administrative law judges and other agency officials.

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