State Officials & 11th Amendment

Question 1

11th Amendment Sovereign Immunity

Answer 1

11th Amendment is a jurisdictional bar that prohibits:

1) the citizens of one state or a foreign country from suing another state in federal court for money damages or equitable relief; and
2) suits in federal court against state officials for violating state law.

However, the following are exceptions to the application of the 11th Amendment:

1) consent
2) injunctive relief
3) individual damages: state official can be sued as long as the official himself will have to pay.
4) congressional authorization

Question 2

Suing State official for injunctive relief

Answer 2

When a state official, rather than the state itself, is named as the defendant in an action. brought in federal court, the state official may be enjoined from enforcing a state law that violates federal law.