E.D.Va.: Unreasonableness of pulling firearm during stop not causally connected to finding of drugs

The officer’s alleged excessive force in allegedly unnecessarily pulling his service weapon during defendant’s stop is not causally connected to the finding of the drugs (see Hudson), so the exclusionary rule does not apply. United States v. Coe, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 162834 (E.D. Va. Sep. 13, 2023):

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DC: Facebook can’t assert 1A or 4A privacy of posts under SCA

Facebook and the District of Columbia are litigating a subpoena from the D.C. A.G. over alleged Covid misinformation. There is no expectation of privacy in what is posted on Facebook. “May” divulge in the Store Communications Act is an excuse from liability, not invoking its discretion. Meta Platforms, Inc. v. District of Columbia, 2023 D.C. App. LEXIS 267 (Sep. 14, 2023):

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NYT: In Poland, Testing Women for Abortion Drugs Is a Reality. It Could Happen Here.

NYT: In Poland, Testing Women for Abortion Drugs Is a Reality. It Could Happen Here. by Patrick Adams:

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W.D.Mo.: SCA allows state courts to issue out-of-state SWs for ESI

The Stored Communications Act permits state courts to issue search warrants for out-of-state electronically stored information. [In addition, but not discussed, Virginia v. Moore allows federal courts to overlook state law violations as long as everything reasonableness was satisfied. Because Google and social media companies do business in all states, what’s unreasonable?] Besides, the good faith exception would apply. United States v. Peterson, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 161364 (W.D. Mo. July 18, 2023).

In a foot chase, defendant abandoned his book bag. State v. Sanders, 2023 N.C. App. LEXIS 555 (Sep. 12, 2023).*

“The case at hand is only a stone’s throw from the Seventh Circuit’s decision in Cartwright. There, the police arrested a driver who put his car in a bad location in a public space, and no one was there to rescue the car. So too here. The police placed Black under arrest, and the car could not stay where it was because Black parked in the street. No one else was there to drive the car. So the police had a reasonable basis to tow it. [¶] Towing Black’s car followed standard procedures.” United States v. Black, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 161192 (N.D. Ill. Sep. 12, 2023).*

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NE: Franks challenge that included allegations that alternative suspects weren’t identified fails

Defendant’s Franks challenge that included allegations that alternative suspects weren’t identified fails. State v. Garcia, 315 Neb. 74 (Sep. 7, 2023).

There was no reasonable suspicion to detain defendant for a dog sniff. He answered all the officer’s questions, and nothing seemed unusual except he was “super nervous.” United States v. Leon, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 23946 (10th Cir. Sep. 11, 2023).

The government showed nexus for the search of defendant’s house from a vehicle coming there with drugs. United States v. Henderson, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 160343 (E.D. Tenn. Sep. 11, 2023).*

A Fourth Amendment judicial deception claim arises on discovery in the Ninth Circuit, and the statute of limitations had run when this claim was finally brought three years out of time. Estate of Carson v. Cty. of Stanislaus, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 160396 (E.D. Cal. Sep. 8, 2023).*

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M.D.Tenn.: Repeatedly re-asking for consent to search cell phone doesn’t make it coercive

“Guerrero argues he was coerced into consenting to the search because the agents continued to ask for consent after he avoided answering the question and they threatened to obtain a search warrant if he did not consent. True, the agents did ask for consent to search the phones more than once. But the mere repeat of the question, without more, is not objectively coercive. Nor is the ‘threat’ to perform a lawful search objectively coercive.” United States v. Guerrero, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 160101 (M.D. Tenn. Sep. 11, 2023).

Defendant’s suggesting to another that drugs should be moved because a search warrant might be imminent justified an obstruction of justice enhancement under USSG § 3C1.1. United States v. Barker, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 23952 (7th Cir. Sep. 11, 2023).*

The taking of defendant’s blood by warrant in a DUI case was reasonable. Defendant’s reliance on another state’s appellate court reversed by the state supreme court was not helpful. State v. Simpson, 2023-Ohio-3207 (3d Dist. September 7, 2023).*

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TN: Def failed to specify the dispositive issue for appeal

Defendant failed to clearly specify the dispositive issue for a conditional plea of a search issue. State v. Herbison, 2023 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 343 (Crim. App. Sep. 11, 2023)*:

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S.D.Ga.: Geofence warrant based on 16 SWs showed PC and GFE

(1) Defendant lacks standing to challenge a geofence warrant to the cell phone accounts held by others. The affidavits for 16 warrants all showed probable cause. The possibility of a different standing for probable cause for novel surveillance is rejected. Overbreadth as to other person’s information lacks standing. (2) Moreover, the good faith exception applies. (3) Defendant’s Franks challenge is waived for not following through. United States v. Wright, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 158692 (S.D. Ga. Sep. 7, 2023).

Defendant established that he had possession of a rental car with permission of the renter on the contract, and that gave him standing. He proved permission by affidavit from the renter who did not attend the hearing. United States v. Lindsey, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 159488 (M.D. Fla. Sep. 8, 2023).

Petitioner cites the UCC (as with sovereign citizens) and the Fourth Amendment as a mandamus challenge to his federal case for bankruptcy fraud. Denied. In re Johnson, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 23902 (5th Cir. Sep. 6, 2023).*

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Reason: How Hippies Saved the Fourth Amendment

Reason: How Hippies Saved the Fourth Amendment by Sean Howe (“The Nixon administration did everything it could to curb antiwar activism. Then the courts said it had gone too far.”)

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OH7: Anticipatory warrant for prostitution

The anticipatory warrant here was for prostitution. State v. Zhang, 2023-Ohio-3173, 2023 Ohio App. LEXIS 3129 (7th Dist. Sep. 7, 2023).

“The use of a drug-sniffing dog during a routine traffic stop that does not prolong the stop does not violate the Fourth Amendment.” United States v. Hernandez-Quintero, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 23847 (10th Cir. Sep. 8, 2023).

There was reasonable suspicion for defendant’s stop, and it was reasonable to pat him down for weapons. United States v. Sable, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 158598 (S.D.N.Y. Sep. 7, 2023).*

There was reasonable suspicion for defendant’s stop because the officer had knowledge of past criminal conduct. United States v. Haynes, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 158346 (W.D. Ky. Sep. 7, 2023).*

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D.Nev.: Ability to manage day-to-day operations doesn’t give standing over whole business space

(1) “Accordingly, although Defendant had the discretion to manage the day-to-day operation of LLB, the Court finds he did not actually manage the day-to-day operations of the business.” “In this context, ownership of premises alone does not automatically confer standing. Therefore, while the Court considers Defendant ultimately owns the building the Sunset Office was located within, it does not assign dispositive weight to his ownership.” Defendant does not have standing to challenge searches of offices of employees within the building. (2) Omission of the entirety of the CI’s criminal history isn’t material when the CI is fully corroborated. United States v. Bradford, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 158330 (D. Nev. Sep. 6, 2023).

The officer had reasonable suspicion defendant’s DL was still suspended in Missouri because he was still in North Dakota apparently since the last stop. United States v. Cartwright, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 157742 (D.N.D. Sep. 6, 2023).*

In seeking a CoA from denial of a 2254, failure to seek recusal of the trial judge because he signed the search warrant, too, is not a ground for reversal under Tennessee law [let alone the Fourth Amendment]. Harris v. Fitz, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 23755 (6th Cir. Sep. 6, 2023).*

Defendant’s stop for littering was reasonable. He was obligated to identify himself when stopped. His picking up the trash doesn’t end the investigation. United States v. Thomas, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 158101 (N.D. Fla. Aug. 21, 2023).*

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D.Conn.: State constitutional argument has no basis in federal prosecution

In a federal case, defendant’s argument the state Constitution was violated in his search means nothing in a federal criminal prosecution. The search was valid under the Fourth Amendment’s collective knowledge doctrine, and it was properly limited in scope. United States v. Rodriguez-Garcia, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 155105 (D. Mass. Sep. 1, 2023).

The state search warrant application showed probable cause for a warrant for defendant’s devices for internet communication with a minor. United States v. Bowles, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 157424 (E.D. Mo. July 17, 2023),* adopted, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 156318 (E.D. Mo. Sept. 5, 2023).*

Defendant’s license plate light being out, visible on two videos, justified this stop. State v. Moss, 2023 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 333 (Sep. 5, 2023).*

Defendant did not abandon the key fob to this car. It was intercepted by the police. He retained a reasonable expectation of privacy in the car. People v. Canady, 2023 NY Slip Op 50936(U) (Kings Co. Sept. 5, 2023).*

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MS: Never getting ruling on motion to suppress is waiver

A motion to suppress where defendant never seeks a ruling on it is waived. McCollum v. State, 2023 Miss. LEXIS 238 (Sep. 7, 2023).

The state search warrant application showed probable cause for a warrant for defendant’s devices for internet communication with a minor. United States v. Bowles, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 157424 (E.D. Mo. July 17, 2023),* adopted, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 156318 (E.D. Mo. Sept. 5, 2023).*

Defendant’s license plate light being out, visible on two videos, justified this stop. State v. Moss, 2023 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 333 (Sep. 5, 2023).*

Defendant did not abandon the key fob to this car. It was intercepted by the police. He retained a reasonable expectation of privacy in the car. People v. Canady, 2023 NY Slip Op 50936(U) (Kings Co. Sept. 5, 2023).*

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E.D.Wis.: Innocent person whose property was seized can petition in criminal case for return of property

The court finds it has ancillary jurisdiction over a return of property question not directly involved in this case. Petitioner owned it and it was at the place searched and does hold evidence of crime. United States v. Solberg, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 157797 (E.D. Wis. Sep. 6, 2023).

The officers here conducted a valid protective sweep of adjacent rooms. United States v. Reyes-Valdez, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 157156 (E.D. Pa. Sep. 6, 2023)* (it is mentioned as significant they were not wearing protective vests, but that really doesn’t matter).

“This case presents a close call. On one hand, an argument can be advanced that after the NBPD has arrested the Defendant without incident, because there was no search warrant, any entry into the hotel room was unjustified. If the police were concerned that other people and guns were in the room, they could have merely kept the room under surveillance and sought a search warrant. On the other hand, there was a concern that if others were in the room with weapons, there was a possibility that those persons could pose a danger to the officers below.” United States v. Uriegas-Montez, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 157169 (W.D. Tex. Sep. 6, 2023).*

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Daily Kos: Your car is spying on you

Daily Kos: Your car is spying on you by Dartagnan:

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NM: Suppression issues should not be decided at preliminary hearings

A preliminary hearing isn’t a proper place to resolve potential suppression issues. They happen on a “brisk time line” and the rules of evidence don’t apply to them. This is committed to the pretrial process in the trial courts. State v. Ayon, 2023 N.M. LEXIS 189 (Sep. 5, 2023).

“They assert five reasons for this: (1) the officers had personal knowledge of where the five gunshots were fired; (2) Mr. Atchak was walking in that exact same area immediately after the shots were fired; (3) Mr. Atchak started walking away from the officers as soon as he saw them; (4) Mr. Atchak changed directions again when he saw more officers; and (5) only Mr. Atchak, of the four pedestrians the officers encountered, was uncooperative and evasive. Given the facts in this case, the Court finds that the police officers had reasonable suspicion to conduct an investigative stop on Mr. Atchak.” Untied States v. Atchak, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 157016 (D. Alaska Sep. 6, 2023).*

A traffic checkpoint established because of speeding in a school zone was reasonable. It was visible from 500′ away, police cars had blue lights on, and every car was stopped for a DL and paperwork check. United States v. Fishburne, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 23668 (4th Cir. Sep. 6, 2023).*

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MN: CI’s successful track record supports reliability

The court reiterates that a CI’s successful track record supports his reliability. State v. Mosley, 2023 Minn. LEXIS 451 (Sep. 6, 2023).

The exclusionary rule does not apply to supervised release violations. Defendant’s panicking to a felony arrest was “not an applicable defense in this context.” United States v. Chavez, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 155113 (D.N.M. Sep. 1, 2023).*

There was probable cause for the warrant here. It was based on a six week investigation and showed enough. An extraneous reference to a vehicle on the cover page was a typo that could be overlooked. It was argued that it created confusion, but not as a typo. United States v. Johnson, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 156307 (D. Vt. Sep. 5, 2023).*

Plaintiff’s suit over his involuntary confession from a false arrest is barred by the Younger doctrine. Destin v. Florida, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 23644 (11th Cir. Sep. 5, 2023).*

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S.D.Tex.: Court declines to unseal warrant papers yet; redaction not feasible

The search warrant papers involving search of property of a U.S. Representative are not unsealed yet. The redactions were nearly everywhere and it would not make sense. The interests in temporary nondisclosure are more important here; the government has made a compelling case for nondisclosure for the time being. In re Associate Press, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 155066 (S.D. Tex. Sep. 1, 2023).

Defendant’s firearms were in plain view when he had an accident. His arrest would have led to an inventory anyway. United States v. Burnley, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 154915 (N.D. Ohio Sep. 1, 2023).*

While the court denies review of a racial disparity in traffic stops case, there is a vigorous dissent that disparity was proved. State v. Johnson, 2023 N.C. LEXIS 584 (Sep. 1, 2023).*

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FL6: Search incident of backpack and fanny pack removed before stop was unreasonable

Defendant was stopped on a bicycle. His backpack and fanny pack were removed from him and placed on the hood of the police car. The search incident doctrine did not apply to them under Gant. They were out of his reach. Jean v. State, 2023 Fla. App. LEXIS 6111 (Fla. 6th DCA Aug. 31, 2023).

The entry into defendant’s house without a warrant was unreasonable. Defendant’s consent, however, was attenuated from the entry and was valid. There was a lack of exigency: “Accordingly, the Court concludes, given the officers’ lack of any indications that Colbert was aware of police presence and was at risk of destroying evidence, that the officers did not have a reasonable basis to believe that Colbert would destroy evidence before they could obtain a warrant to search Apartment A.” The entry was limited: “Here, officers similarly did not conduct a full search of Apartment A, including looking under mattresses and in cupboards, until after Colbert had given consent to search the entire apartment. Accordingly, the Court concludes that, assuming that the officers on the scene had a reasonable basis to believe that Colbert was going to destroy evidence, the initial search’s scope was appropriately limited in nature.” A protective sweep was also improper. United States v. Colbert, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 155118 (D.N.M. Sep. 1, 2023).*

The trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying a second motion to suppress as untimely where defendant was represented by counsel throughout, and there was even a little discovery delay. State v. Lanier, 2023-Ohio-3088 (7th Dist. Aug. 31, 2023).*

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CA9: Mixed motive for admin search doesn’t make it unreasonable

“The presence of an impermissible motive does not, by itself, establish that the administrative search was pretextual, Orozco, 858 F.3d at 1213, and here, the record shows the presence of a valid motive: the city inspector obtained the administrative search warrant, requested police assistance, and ultimately issued a notice and order to abate based on violations of city ordinances discovered during the search.” Icon Desert Logistics v. City of Blythe, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 23088 (9th Cir. Aug. 31, 2023).

“Because the affidavit supporting the warrant provided the Magistrate Judge probable cause to search Mr. Crenshaw’s house, if barely, the Court has no occasion to consider application of the good-faith exception and DENIES Defendant’s motion to suppress (ECF No. 21).” United States v. Crenshaw, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 156000 (N.D. Ohio Sep. 5, 2023).*

Officers drawing weapons during a felony stop was not unreasonable. Green v. Commonwealth, 2023 Va. App. LEXIS 593 (Sep. 5, 2023).*

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