Public administrators are often left without a decision schematic in the execution of public policy. All decisions are not made with certitude; rather, discretionary decisions are frequently made in deciding the who, what, where, and how of politics. The Discretionary Function Exemption of the Federal Tort Claims Act offers immunity from prosecution to public administrators who exercise discretion within the scope of their employment. This paper will explore the political rationale of discretion and the protection of discretion by the legislatures and courts. Furthermore, it offers a perspective on the future of the Discretionary Function Exemption.
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