What is qualified immunity primarily intended to protect?

Qualified immunity is primarily intended to protect government officials, particularly law enforcement officers, from liability for civil damages when they are performing their official duties. This legal principle acknowledges that officials must be able to exercise their discretion and make decisions without the constant fear of being sued, especially in complex and rapidly changing situations. The doctrine allows officials to be immune from civil liability unless they violated a clearly established statutory or constitutional right that a reasonable person would have known.

This protection serves to encourage public service and allows officials to perform their responsibilities without the deterrent effect of potential lawsuits for every decision made while carrying out their duties. It is specifically aimed at civil damages rather than criminal prosecution or internal disciplinary actions, which are governed by different legal standards and processes.