Category Archives: Custody

S.D.N.Y.: Def wasn’t “in custody” when SW for CP was executed at his apartment and he talked to police

Defendant’s NYC apartment was the subject of a search warrant for child pornography. Once inside, he was told repeatedly that he was not under arrest and was free to leave. He continued talking, and he wasn’t in custody for Miranda … Continue reading

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S.D.N.Y.:The fact that the Government intends to prove that the property belongs to Defendant does not establish standing

“The fact that the Government intends to prove that the property belongs to Defendant does not establish standing. See, United States v. Watson, 404 F.3d 163, 166 (2d Cir. 2005) (‘[D]efendant could not challenge the search of a residence merely … Continue reading

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N.D.Ga.: The immediately apparent prong of plain view requires PC

The immediately apparent prong of plain view requires probable cause for being apparent. United States v. Brown, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 52652 (N.D. Ga. Jan. 30, 2025), adopted, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 50975 (N.D. Ga. Mar. 20, 2025). “In this … Continue reading

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TX14: Def’s furtive movements with cell phone can justify exigency to seize it

Defendant’s furtive movements supported exigency that he could attempt to erase things on his cell phone thus justifying its warrantless seizure. Igboji v. State, 2025 Tex. App. LEXIS 1021 (Tex. App. – Houston (14th Dist.) Feb. 20, 2025) (unpublished), on … Continue reading

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D.Me.: 4A doesn’t require that the search warrant be shown before execution

The Fourth Amendment doesn’t require that the search warrant be shown before execution. United States v. Tarr, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 26832 (D. Me. Feb. 14, 2025).* During execution of a search warrant for a business, defendant wasn’t in custody … Continue reading

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D.P.R.: Statement taken in violation of Miranda likely usable for impeachment

Defendant’s statement allegedly in violation of Miranda that the government doesn’t intend to use may be used for impeachment if the defendant contradicts them under Harris. United States v. Cardona, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 22757 (D.P.R. Feb. 6, 2025). Inferences … Continue reading

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D.P.R.: State nighttime search rule on state warrant inapplicable in federal court

The fact a state nighttime search warrant doesn’t comply with state law doesn’t matter in federal court. It’s whether Rule 41 and the Fourth Amendment were complied with. Then, the defendant has to show prejudice. Also, the fact defendant had … Continue reading

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WY: Courthouse entry search valid under “special needs”

Defendant entered a courthouse, and the metal detector went off on a small can on him which he opened on request revealing meth. These searches are valid as “special needs.” Russell v. State, 2024 WY 126, 2024 Wyo. LEXIS 128 … Continue reading

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MA: Three SWs building on each other to ultimate PC

Here there were three search warrants. The second built on the first, and the third on the second, leading to a computer search that was founded on defendant disposing of a body. “When considering the foregoing details together, there was … Continue reading

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S.D.Ill.: Code enforcement officer’s entry to construction site to stop work was not a “search”

A code enforcement officer’s entry onto plaintiff’s construction site to stop work in violation of the city code was not a Fourth Amendment search. And it was otherwise reasonable. Kindle v. Eisert, 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 198527 (S.D. Ill. Oct. … Continue reading

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AR & PA: Def’s statements at time of search used at trial

Defendant’s DNA was taken by warrant at the jail, and his admissions about the offense during that captured on bodycam were admitted at trial. There was no questioning; it was voluntary. Torres v. State, 2024 Ark. App. 457 (Sep. 25, … Continue reading

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TN: Def opened door to admit suppressed cell phone evidence by asking the one question too many

Defendant successfully kept out cell phone tracking records for lack of probable cause. “However, during trial, based on defense counsel’s question of whether there was any ‘physical evidence’ connecting Defendant to the case, the trial court ruled that Defendant opened … Continue reading

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Cal.3d: A small amount of MJ in def’s car isn’t PC, but here there were suspicious circumstances that make PC

With passage of personal use marijuana in California, courts have held that a small amount in the car is not probable cause. However, “[i]t follows that a warrantless vehicle search will be justified where the presence of a lawful amount … Continue reading

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E.D.Mich.: Cell tower dump isn’t CSLI; doesn’t require PC, but just a court order

A cell tower dump isn’t CSLI, so actual probable cause isn’t required. Here, however, there was. In re United States, 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 128532 (E.D. Mich. July 18, 2024).* “Finally, the gratuitous physical aggression at the scene cannot be … Continue reading

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DE: Def counsel’s failure to challenge PC and particularity in cell phone search warrants post-conviction relief

Defendant sufficiently stated grounds for ineffective assistance of counsel from defense counsel’s failure to challenge the search warrant for lack of probable cause and particularity. “Postconviction relief due to ineffectiveness of counsel must be granted in circumstances where the Court … Continue reading

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WI: Community caretaking stop couldn’t be expanded without RS

Where defendant was stopped under the community caretaking function, expanding the stop without further justification was unreasonable. Here, it was because the officer thought defendant may have been driving while sleepy, but the stop was extended. State v. Wiskowski, 2024 … Continue reading

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D.V.I.: 19 warning shots from USCG helicopter to effect stop of boat wasn’t unreasonable

The Coast Guard did not use unreasonable excessive force in firing 19 warning shots from a helicopter to get defendants to stop their boat. United States v. Menocal-Mero, 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 99881 (D.V.I. June 5, 2024). Viewing the bodycam, … Continue reading

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DC: Lights, coming out of car with hand on gun, and “Let me see your hands” was a seizure

This was a show of authority: “With the emergency lights activated, each officer exited the vehicle and yelled, ‘Let me see your hands’ and quickly approached Mr. Mitchell. Officer Phillip had a hand on her firearm while doing so. Officers … Continue reading

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ND: Warrantless entry into garage to investigate driving on a suspended license unreasonable

Officers had probable cause to believe defendant was driving on a suspended DL, and they were parked outside his house and watched him drive into his garage. There was no exigency for the police entry into his garage to arrest … Continue reading

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W.D.N.Y.: SW for devices used for video surveillance included cell phones because apps can be used to view cameras from cell phones

In a search warrant for devices capable of use in video surveillance, a cell phone qualified because apps on phones permitted home surveillance cameras (such as Ring doorbell cams) to be viewed on cell phones. United States v. Hampton, 2024 … Continue reading

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