Monthly Archives: March 2022

NY3: Electronic logging device requirement on large trucks reasonable under 4A

A federal interstate truck requirement of an electronic logging device on the truck, incorporated under New York statute, for GPS, speed, and an event recorder is reasonable as an administrative search under the Fourth Amendment. It tracks the truck, not … Continue reading

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MA: Firearms “improperly secured” found in search of house not forfeitable

Firearms allegedly found “improperly secured” in defendant’s home during a search are not contraband subject to forfeiture. Commonwealth v. Fleury, 2022 Mass. LEXIS 149 (Mar. 31, 2022).* Defendant was stopped for overtinted windows, and, when he got out of the … Continue reading

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TX: Affidavit incorporated in SW had specific description and saves SW from overbreadth argument

“The issue before us is whether the particularity requirement of the Fourth Amendment is satisfied if a warrant describes the place to be searched as a fraternity house as a whole without specifying a suspect’s actual room in the house, … Continue reading

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M.D.Tenn.: Copies of what were notarized kept by the notary are third-party records

Defendant had documents notarized at a Nashville law office where the practice of the lawyer-notary, not required by law, to copy what was notarized, and they did it for free. The government found out about it and subpoenaed the records. … Continue reading

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D.Ariz.: To overcome Stone bar, pet’r has to proffer something about being denied “full and fair opportunity” to litigate 4A claim

To overcome Stone in a 2254, the petitioner has to proffer that he was denied a full and fair opportunity to litigate his Fourth Amendment claim. Failure to do so is fatal to claim. Bartels v. Arizona, 2022 U.S. Dist. … Continue reading

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D.C.Cir.: Admin. law: 4A claims must be brought at agency level first

In an action before the Board for Correction of Naval Records, the service member had to raise his Fourth Amendment claim before the agency or it is waived, which is what happened here. McPherson v. Del Toro, Sec’y of the … Continue reading

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E.D.Ky.: Coming out of car with hands up adds to RS

“Next, Grant’s behavior once the traffic stop occurred gave police additional reasons to suspect that he was involved in criminal activity. King’s testimony and the video evidence presented during the hearing support the conclusion that Defendant Grant was attempting to … Continue reading

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NYT: Does the End of Cash Mean the End of Privacy?

NYT: Does the End of Cash Mean the End of Privacy? by Peter Coy (“As cash disappears from the modern economy, privacy disappears with it. You can’t spend money with a credit card, debit card or check without creating a … Continue reading

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A few § 1983 cases on QI and summary judgment

Ordering plaintiff out of the Sheriff’s Office lobby for fear of disruption was novel as a potential seizure and that’s subject to qualified immunity. “Sheriff Crone’s conduct in ordering Mr. Brandt to leave the lobby due to a perceived disruption … Continue reading

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E.D.Okla.: Lack of nexus to cell phone saved by GFE

The affidavit for the search warrant for defendant’s phone didn’t show nexus, but it was still relied upon in good faith. R&R rejected. United States v. Langford, 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 55162 (E.D.Okla. Mar. 28, 2022). Sounds and observations of … Continue reading

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D.Ore.: Detailed extra information to provide context that ultimately proves unnecessary to the PC finding doesn’t make the warrant bad

“SA Nix’s 56-page affidavit provides detailed information that is directly connected to an evasion of payment charge. Those few sentences or portions of sentences that pertain exclusively to an evasion of tax assessment charge have a de minimis impact on … Continue reading

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D.Nev.: Documents a part of the SW have to be referred to and attached

“For another document to be considered part of a ‘warrant,’ it must be (1) incorporated by reference to the search warrant and (2) accompany the search warrant both when it is authorized by the judge and when the search warrant … Continue reading

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WaPo: Letting police access Google location data can help solve crimes

WaPo: Letting police access Google location data can help solve crimes by Jane Bambauer (“Acquiring anonymous data about which devices were in a bank at the time of a robbery should not be unconstitutional.”) [So do general violations of the … Continue reading

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D.S.D.: Ptf stated § 1983 claim that jail phone provider recorded attorney-client calls

Plaintiff stated a § 1983 claim that a jail phone provider recorded attorney calls. Kurtenbach v. Securus Techs., 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 54089 (D.S.D. Mar. 25, 2022). Colorado grants immunity from crimes found as a result of a call about … Continue reading

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MD: Def’s DNA from a prior dismissed case admissible here

Defendant’s DNA was obtained in a 2014 case that was dismissed. The DNA from that was used to connect him to this case. The prior DNA results are not excludable just because the case went away. Hayes v. State, 2022 … Continue reading

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S.D.N.Y.: Video of def and cell phone at scene of crime is PC for phone

Defendant with his cell phone in hand was at the scene of a shooting as shown by surveillance video. That’s probable cause for the phone. United States v. King, 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 53647 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 24, 2022). When the … Continue reading

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WI: After suppression of blood BAC test in hospital, SDT for hospital’s own test reasonable and independent

“After crashing his car, Daniel Van Linn was taken to the hospital, where two blood tests were performed: the first one by the hospital for diagnostic and treatment purposes; a later one at the direction of a sheriff’s deputy for … Continue reading

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W.D.Tex.: A dog sniff on federal property was reasonable; MMJ not an issue

“Defendant argues that given the evolving laws regarding marijuana (and other cannabinoid products or derivatives), dog sniffs are increasingly becoming unreliable and therefore violative of the Fourth Amendment because dog sniffs cannot discriminate between contraband and marijuana that is legally … Continue reading

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CA6: Officer’s opening car door was reasonable when semi-conscious driver couldn’t be roused

“The officers’ conduct up to and including Officer Mino’s decision to open the car’s passenger-side door fits within their role as community caretakers. As Mino testified at the suppression hearing, Mino believed that he and Anderson were responding to a … Continue reading

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HI: Announcement not required for SW execution on open tent

Officers had a search warrant for a tent in a homeless encampment. Announcement before entry wasn’t required where the tent was not shut. State v. Keanaaina, 2022 Haw. LEXIS 44 (Mar. 22, 2022). Officers encountered defendant’s car double parked on … Continue reading

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