Fourth Amendment Archives - Page 6 of 9

From Toy Blade to Tragic End: Napouk v. Las Vegas Metro Police Evaluates Deadly Force and Qualified Immunity

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently issued a decision in Napouk v. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, a case involving the use of deadly force. The ruling highlights the challenges law enforcement officers face when making split-second decisions in tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving situations. Stemming from the fatal shooting of Lloyd Napouk by two officers from the Las

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Vacant but Not Private: United States v. Lowe Defines Privacy Boundaries in Apartment Storage Unit Searches

A recent case considered by the Tenth Circuit examines the circumstances that determine whether a suspect lacks a reasonable expectation of privacy in a vacant storage unit located in the apartment building where they reside. United States v. Lowe challenges us to explore the boundaries and scope of individual privacy rights within shared residential spaces, particularly in the context of warrantless searches. After serving

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Seventh Circuit Clarifies Search-Incident and Automobile Exceptions in United States v. Davis

The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit recently rendered a decision in United States v. Davis, considering whether law enforcement officers had a sufficient constitutional basis to search a defendant’s vehicle after he was pulled over in response to reports of domestic violence.1 In the early morning hours of February 22, 2022, a domestic disturbance unfolded at a family home in

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A Stop Too Far: The Sixth Circuit Rejects Prolonged Detention and K-9 Search in United States v. Taylor

In United States v. Taylor, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit considered crucial questions about the limits of police authority during traffic stops, particularly the use of prolonged detention and K-9 units in situations where reasonable suspicion is in question.1 This case centers on a traffic stop conducted by law enforcement that led to the discovery of a firearm—but not without

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Medical Emergencies as Legal Crossroads: United States v. Hudson and the Fourth Amendment in Hospital Settings

The Seventh Circuit’s recent decision in United States v. Hudson navigates complex Fourth Amendment issues within the context of medical emergencies and law enforcement intervention. This case focuses on the complexities involved when the duties of medical personnel and police officers intersect. The case began on an early morning in January 2022, when Javares Hudson arrived at Carle BroMenn Medical Center seeking emergency treatment

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Dividing Lines: The Fourth Circuit’s Take on Geofence Warrants in United States v. Chatrie Amid Growing Circuit Split

In July 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued an opinion in United States v. Chatrie, a case that could potentially make its way up to the Supreme Court of the United States, providing the High Court an opportunity to settle an existing circuit split over the constitutionality of geofence warrants as an investigative technique used by law enforcement.¹

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Safes, Searches, and Stolen Sedans: Navigating the Automobile Exception in United States v. Ostrum

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit heard a case arising from a law enforcement investigation into the defendant’s involvement in a drug-dealing scheme and his unauthorized possession of firearms. Ostrum first captured the attention of law enforcement during a previous investigation into another suspect. As a result of that initial investigation, officers intercepted text messages indicating repeated methamphetamine and marijuana

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Detailing the Details: Addressing Warrant Particularity in United States v. Kirtdoll

In an interesting case, the Sixth Circuit recently tested the limits of the particularity requirement for search warrants under the Fourth Amendment, focusing on how courts assess errors within warrants to determine the impact that such errors may have on the validity of the warrant. United States v. Kirtdoll is a case out of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit,

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Clarifying Consensual Encounters and the Attenuation Doctrine: Analyzing Evidence Admissibility in United States v. Cade

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals recently considered United States v. Cade, a case that considers the Attenuation Doctrine in the context of a vehicle search and incriminatory statements. This case arose after the defendant, Brandon Cade, and a friend, T.J., caught the attention of two Chicago police officers while on patrol in a marked squad car. This interaction led officers to search the

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Traffic Stops and Tough Questions: Parole Inquiries Under the Fourth Amendment in United States v. Ramirez

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently rendered a decision in the case of United States v. Ramirez, exploring the limits of the Fourth Amendment’s protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. In this case, the focus narrows in on a traffic stop scenario where an officer approached the vehicle and initiated the encounter by asking the driver, “What’s up, my man? You on probation

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