Category Archives: § 1983 / Bivens

C.D.Cal.: Inquiry into actions of others besides the officers involved in search is a new Bivens claim and barred

“Second, the type of evidence necessary to prove Plaintiffs’ case differs from Bivens. Bivens required only an inquiry into the actions of arresting officers. Meanwhile, Plaintiffs challenge the propriety of Zellhart’s warrant application and special search procedures, requiring the Court … Continue reading

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D.P.R.: Alleged false GJ testimony as an alleged 4A violation rejected as new Bivens ground

“Plaintiff grounds his Bivens cause of action in an allegation that Garay, a CBP officer, violated his Fourth Amendment rights by procuring his indictment based on supposedly intentional false testimony in which Garay stated that Plaintiff knowingly possessed and transported … Continue reading

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CA10: USMS Fugitive Task Force sufficiently different to not fall under Bivens

The USMS is sufficiently different from the defendants in Bivens to justify Bivens not applying where there was an alleged illegal entry of the Fugitive Task Force. Also, there are alternative administrative remedies. Logsdon v. United States Marshal Serv., 2024 … Continue reading

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D.N.M.: Squatter in building labeled “unsafe” had no standing

Defendant was a squatter in a building with posted sign warning it was substandard and unsafe. He had no reasonable expectation of privacy in the premises. United States v. Guzman, 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 550 (D.N.M. Jan. 2, 2024). Michael … Continue reading

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DE: Mandamus can’t be used as interlocutory appeal of denial of motion to suppress

A petition for writ of mandamus can’t be used as an interlocutory appeal of denial of a motion to suppress. [Mandamus isn’t anywhere near a possible remedy.] In re Taylor for A Writ of Mandamus, 2023 Del. LEXIS 400 (Dec. … Continue reading

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D.N.M.: Greyhound’s cooperation with the DEA doesn’t give rise to a 4A cause of action against it

Just because Greyhound cooperates with the DEA in Albuquerque doesn’t mean it can be sued there under the Fourth Amendment. Fernandez v. Greyhound Lines, Inc., 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 211564 (D.N.M. Nov. 28, 2023). Homeless in Los Angeles likely had … Continue reading

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M.D.Pa.: Car company with security interest had claim for alleged illegal disposal of seized car

A motorist was stopped and searched and his car was seized, towed, and impounded. Later it was sold by the towing company for expenses. Toyota had a security interest in it. Toyota stated a claim for loss of the car. … Continue reading

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NYLJ: Section 1983 Fabricated Evidence Claims—Focus on ‘Barnes v. City of New York’

NYLJ: Section 1983 Fabricated Evidence Claims—Focus on ‘Barnes v. City of New York’ (“Police fabrication of evidence gives rise to a steady stream of § 1983 fabrication of evidence claims, which frequently raise important, difficult legal issues. The recent decision … Continue reading

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CA4: No absolute immunity for a judge involved in search of ex’s property over their divorce

“We consider in this appeal whether a judge who participates in the search of a litigant’s home is entitled to judicial immunity for actions related to the search. Judge Louise Goldston went to Matthew Gibson’s residence to look for items … Continue reading

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N.D.Ind.: Def put drugs in a confederate’s car, and he had no standing despite being the target of the search

Defendant put drugs in bags in the car of a confederate in the crime. When the car was searched, he didn’t have standing, even though he was admittedly the target of the search and not in possession. United States v. … Continue reading

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CA9: Drug dog entering vehicle after alert not unreasonable

The drug dog entering defendant’s vehicle after the alert is not unreasonable. An Idaho state CSLI warrant served outside of Idaho was not an issue for federal court. Even if the court agreed that there was a technical violation of … Continue reading

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WI: Forensic search of electronics two months after seizure didn’t violate state statute on execution of SW

A search warrant was timely “executed” when the electronic device was seized within five days per the warrant and state law, even though the forensic search didn’t take place for two more months. “[W]e emphasize that in this appeal Drachenberg … Continue reading

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TX5: Even with legalized hemp, smell of MJ from car is still PC

The smell of marijuana from a vehicle is probable cause even if legal hemp can be mistaken for it. State v. Gonzales, 2023 Tex. App. LEXIS 7827 (Tex. App. – Dallas Oct. 12, 2023). Plaintiff’s claim for false arrest for … Continue reading

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CA3: SoL for illegal search claims not tolled by incarcerated

Plaintiff inmate’s statute of limitations for an illegal search claim starts when he should be aware of the claim and it is not tolled while he is incarcerated. Poteat v. Lydon, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 26961 (3d Cir. Oct. 11, … Continue reading

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S.D.N.Y.: Ptf being off parole at time of parole search stated claim

Plaintiff’s claim he was off parole when this parole search occurred at least survives a motion to dismiss. Aurecchione v. Falco, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 171131 (S.D.N.Y. Sep. 25, 2023). Defendant’s suppression motion against his residential search warrants was based … Continue reading

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CA7: Restating 4A claim doesn’t satisfy successor habeas standard

A restated Fourth Amendment claim doesn’t satisfy the standard for a successor 2254 petition. Hardy v. Neal, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 25343 (7th Cir. Sep. 25, 2023). Plaintiff fails in his claim the county routinely violates the Fourth Amendment in … Continue reading

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CA11: One acquitted at trial but arrested with PC has no claim

A person acquitted at trial but arrested with probable cause has no claim. Probable cause for arrest survives an acquittal. Davis v. City of Apopka, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 22680 (11th Cir. Aug. 28, 2023):

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CA5: Retaliatory arrest under 1A also requires no PC under 4A

“But this court concluded that ‘Plaintiff-Appellees’ claims against Officer Currie … fall under the Fourth Amendment.’ [Mayfield, 976 F.3d at 486 n.1.] As that opinion explained, ‘in order to bring a First Amendment claim for retaliatory arrest, a plaintiff generally … Continue reading

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CA6: Standing required in a § 1983 case

Plaintiff didn’t have standing to raise someone else’s rights in a § 1983 case. Appeal dismissed. Jordan v. City of Toledo, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 22063 (6th Cir. Aug. 21, 2023). Drug officers’ executing search warrants and stealing property was … Continue reading

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CA5: Arrest on curtilage was subject to questions of fact

Plaintiff raised questions of fact and law as to the officer’s authority to arrest him in his front yard on the curtilage. Summary judgment denied on the merits, but remanded for further qualified immunity analysis. Sauceda v. City of San … Continue reading

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