Category Archives: Issue preclusion

W.D.Okla.: When officer’s observation obviates the reason for the stop, the already initiated warrant check can be completed

Defendant was stopped for suspected DUI and a warrant check was called for. The officer promptly learned that defendant wasn’t DUI, but it was reasonable to still wait for the warrant check to be completed, here just a couple of … Continue reading

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N.D.Tex.: Video camera in pretrial detainee’s cell that showed the toilet was reasonable

“Ellis alleges that the placement of cameras in his cell that could record the toilet violated his Fourth Amendment right to privacy and constituted a state tort of invasion of privacy. ECF No. 19 at 19-22. But a pretrial detainee … Continue reading

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N-M: 94-day delay in getting cell phone SW was unreasonable; GFE not applicable

The search of defendant’s iPhones and iPads lacked probable cause at the time it happened. His wife had apparent authority to search because she knew the passcodes but that doesn’t equate to her apparent authority to seize them. Also, the … Continue reading

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S.D.N.Y.: Controlled buy at def’s door + sound from inside = protective sweep

Officers did a controlled buy [used to be called “buy-bust”] of drugs and then used the alleged noise from inside to justify a protective sweep. The protective sweep was valid. Defendant was in the doorway and Santana (1976) justified the … Continue reading

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W.D.N.C.: No REP against being tracked by bait bill tracker from bank robbery

There is no reasonable expectation of privacy to not be tracked by a device planted in bait bills taken in a bank robbery. United States v. Day, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 226779 (W.D. N.C. Nov. 6, 2023), adopted 2023 U.S. … Continue reading

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NM: No valid purpose for impoundment and inventory of def’s car parked in his own driveway

Impoundment and inventory of defendant’s car parked in his own driveway was unreasonable. There was no valid community caretaking function to be served here. State v. Ontiveros, 2023 N.M. LEXIS 281 (Dec. 18, 2023). 2254 petitioner had a full and … Continue reading

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C.D.Ill.: No RS car with SC plates and tinted windows violated IL law

There was no reasonable suspicion that the window tinting on a car with South Carolina plates found in Illinois violated Illinois law. United States v. Timms, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 220195 (C.D. Ill. Dec. 8, 2023).* Plaintiff state prisoner’s § … Continue reading

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OH11: Using a flashlight during execution of SW still “plain view”

Using a flashlight during the search of defendant’s home did not negate plain view during execution of the warrant. State v. Washington, 2023-Ohio-4484, 2023 Ohio App. LEXIS 4302 (11th Dist. Dec. 11, 2023). Defendant was a suspect in a fake … Continue reading

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W.D.Wis.: No habeas relief for unlawful arrest

That 2254 petitioner’s state arrest was unreasonable doesn’t state grounds for relief from a conviction. Haring v. Prosise, 462 U.S. 306, 321 (1983). Ramirez v. Meisner, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 218142 (W.D. Wis. Dec. 6, 2023). Defendant had no standing … Continue reading

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WA: Def’s first appearance where bail was set under Gerstein not critical stage requiring counsel because bail could be revisited

Defendant’s first appearance where bail was set under Gerstein was not a critical stage requiring counsel because bail could be revisited. State v. Heng, 2023 Wash. LEXIS 603 (Dec. 7, 2023). “The government contends that [the search] was justified both … Continue reading

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NY1: Def’s Franks challenge denial and 7 year sentence summarily affirmed 7½ years later

“Defendant’s request for a Franks hearing was properly summarily denied. He failed to make a ‘substantial preliminary showing’ that the purported statements he made to his wife and at the precinct relating to his ownership of the vehicle were false … Continue reading

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CA6: Recently discovered alleged Franks violation not sufficient for successor habeas petition

Even if there was a recently discovered Franks violation in the underlying search warrant affidavit that produced evidence against defendant, that doesn’t satisfy the standard for a successor habeas petition. In re Rooks, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 31471 (6th Cir. … Continue reading

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CT: SW mentioned in a police report wasn’t Brady information

An FBI 302 mentioned a search warrant, and all of this in context did not amount to a Brady violation. Reyes v. State, 2023 Conn. App. LEXIS 272 (Nov. 28, 2023). “We conclude, based on the record, that the district … Continue reading

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E.D.Tex.: You can’t remove a state criminal case to federal court to decide your search and seizure question

One can’t remove a state criminal case to federal court via habeas to decide his search warrant motions. Washington v. 5th Dist. Court of Texas, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 209404 (E.D. Tex. Oct. 10, 2023), adopted 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS … Continue reading

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D.Mass.: Plea agreement foreclosed return of property

Defendant’s plea agreement foreclosed his Rule 41(g) motion for return of property. United States v. Spencer, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 206257 (D. Mass. Nov. 17, 2023). Defendant’s motion to reconsider denial of his motion to suppress the timeliness of his … Continue reading

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CA6: SW’s minor error in naming place to be searched did not entitle ptf to relief; qualified immunity applies

A minor error in the address of the place to be searched could be overlooked because only the right place was searched. There is still qualified immunity. Neal El v. Valasek, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 30000 (6th Cir. Nov. 9, … Continue reading

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CA10: No REP against officer running an LPN

There is no reasonable expectation of privacy in a license plate number. Officers can run any LPN number. They can also walk up to his car in his driveway and look at it. Becerra v. City of Albuquerque, 2023 U.S. … Continue reading

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D.Alaska: Admin. inspections of intrastate goldmines are legal under Mine Safety and Health Act

The Mine Safety and Health Administration sought an inspection of the respondent goldmine based on safety complaints it had received. The Fourth Amendment does not require an administrative warrant for an inspection. “Regulatory inspections pursuant to the Mine Act are … Continue reading

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N.D.Ala.: 4A does not require gun seen in protective sweep be immediately seized; SW was obtained

If officers saw defendant’s .22 during a protective sweep, the Fourth Amendment doesn’t require that it be seized immediately. It can be seized during execution of the later issued search warrant. A .22 is not a weapon of choice for … Continue reading

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S.D.N.Y.: Arrested target of cell phone SW has common law right of access to affidavit and SW

The target’s motion to unseal the search warrant affidavit for his cell phone is granted. There is a common law right of access, and the First Amendment right of access does not even have to be decided. The government’s only … Continue reading

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