Category Archives: Custody

SD: Def not in custody during DNA SW when asked basic questions

Despite language difficulties, defendant did speak some English, enough to refer to erection difficulties, and he never indicated he didn’t understand. He was not in custody for Miranda purposes when he was asked some basic questions and volunteered information while … Continue reading

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CA6: Even if harassment was a basis to exclude a parole search, it wasn’t shown here

The exclusionary rule does not apply in supervised release revocation proceedings. Even if harassment by the officer was a basis to exclude, it wasn’t present here. United States v. Robinson, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 6756 (6th Cir. Mar. 21, 2023)* … Continue reading

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HI: Miranda warnings required whenever PC develops for arrest

“Miranda warnings are required by article I, section 10 of the Constitution of the State of Hawai’i when probable cause to arrest has developed. And in Hewitt’s case, contrary to the ICA’s conclusion, probable cause had developed before she was … Continue reading

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OH4: When officer couldn’t find source of strong smell of MJ, he could search again under 4A

The officer encountered a strong smell of marijuana and searched the car for it coming up “empty.” He reviewed the video in the car and searched again. This one continuous effort and separate justification wasn’t needed. Suppression order reversed. State … Continue reading

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E.D.N.Y.: Without knowing what to suppress, motion to suppress is premature

Defendant’s motion to suppress the search of Device A is premature since the product of the search isn’t yet known. Also, his motion to suppress the search of Device B is denied for lack of standing. It isn’t his. United … Continue reading

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CA4: Terry stop is not necessarily custody for Miranda purposes

A Terry stop is not necessarily custody for Miranda purposes. They can be, but they focus on different questions. United States v. Leggette, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 521 n.5 (4th Cir. Jan. 10, 2023). Collective knowledge of the officers involved … Continue reading

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CA4: When officer asked to pat him down, def raised his arms, and that’s consent

When the officer asked to pat him down, defendant raised his arms. That was consent. There was also reasonable suspicion. United States v. Pentecost, 2022 U.S. App. LEXIS 34656 (4th Cir. Dec. 15, 2022).* “[I]n-home interviews are presumptively non-custodial.” United … Continue reading

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CA6: Common law rule that misd must be in presence of officer for warrantless arrest not part of 4A

The common law rule of a misdemeanor offense needing to be in the presence of the officer to be a basis for an arrest is not considered part of the Fourth Amendment. “And our court has held that the offense … Continue reading

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CA4: Govt is not responsible when a subpoenaed party turns over more than was sought

The government is not responsible when a subpoenaed party turns over more than was sought. United States v. Taylor, 2022 U.S. App. LEXIS 33418 (4th Cir. Dec. 5, 2022). Officers executing a search warrant at defendant’s house repeatedly made it … Continue reading

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OH10: Window tint violation justified impoundment and inventory, even though discretionary

Under the inventory policy, the police had the discretion to impound vehicles with excessive window tint, even though they did not apply impoundment uniformly. State v. Hall-Johnson, 2022-Ohio-3512, 2022 Ohio App. LEXIS 3308 (10th Dist. Sep. 30, 2022). An investigation … Continue reading

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CT: Blood draw by nurse at hospital was not 4A search

The taking of a blood sample by a nurse at a hospital is not a Fourth Amendment search. State v. Ragalis, 2022 Conn. Super. LEXIS 2025 (New Britain Sept. 8, 2022). Custody under Miranda is not the same as a … Continue reading

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MI: No RS for getting def out of car for a frisk

Defendant’s stop was justified, but getting him out of the vehicle for a frisk was not. Suppressed. People v. Turner, 2022 Mich. App. LEXIS 4943 (Aug. 18, 2022) (2-1). On the totality, defendant consented to an interview in his own … Continue reading

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CA5: Being handcuffed during traffic stop for officer safety wasn’t “custody” for Miranda purposes

Defendant was handcuffed during a traffic stop for officer safety, and the officer’s on the street questions were not custodial for Miranda purposes. United States v. Coulter, 2022 U.S. App. LEXIS 19751 (5th Cir. July 18, 2022). This protective sweep … Continue reading

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CA11: Reasonable mistake of law on basis for stop was not 4A violation

“An officer’s reasonable mistake of law—that is, when ‘the law turns out to be not what was thought’—can justify probable cause. [Heien] at 61-64. The officer ‘deserve[s] a margin of error’ when ‘the application of a statute is unclear—however clear … Continue reading

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E.D.Va.: No RS for protective sweep of car for weapon

The officers lacked reasonable suspicion for a protective sweep of defendant’s car. His actions did not support any suggestion he might be armed. United States v. Trice, 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 115463 (E.D. Va. June 29, 2022).* Defendant’s refusal to … Continue reading

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CA9: Failure to deliver SW at scene of search violated Rule 41, but no suppression here

Failure to deliver the whole search warrant to defendant violated Rule 41(f)(1)(C), but it wasn’t deliberate so no suppression. United States v. Manaku, 2022 U.S. App. LEXIS 16337 (9th Cir. June 14, 2022). 2254 petitioner’s ineffective assistance of counsel for … Continue reading

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HI: DWI stop not “custody”, and statements made during FST were admissible

Defendant was not in custody at the time she made statements during a FST. State v. Sagapolutele-Silva, 2022 Haw. LEXIS 85 (June 3, 2022); State v. Manion, 2022 Haw. LEXIS 86 (June 3, 2022). Defendant’s claim that her daughter was … Continue reading

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CA9: Police participation in a probation search didn’t make it unreasonable

Homeland Security Investigations participating in a probation search did not make it unreasonable. United States v. Johnson, 2022 U.S. App. LEXIS 11999 (9th Cir. May 3, 2022). Defendant claims a Franks violation from a single misstatement in the affidavit for … Continue reading

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Cal.: Exclusionary rule does not apply in child dependency litigation

The exclusionary rule does not apply in child dependency litigation. In re Christopher L., 2022 Cal. LEXIS 2313 (Apr. 25, 2022) (recognizing rule). “Hecke is correct that Detective Compton did not provide details of BSC’s criminal history or a description … Continue reading

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CA8: Court can consider GFE rather than decide PC

“‘[T]his Court ‘may consider the applicability of the good-faith exception to the exclusionary rule,’ without addressing whether probable cause exists.” Here, there was enough to likely show probable cause so the officer reasonably believed in the validity of the warrant. … Continue reading

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