AI in Law Enforcement: Innovation, Risk, and the Road Ahead
The Future of AI in Law Enforcement The Guardian Mindset Podcast is back with a critical conversation on Artificial Intelligence in Law Enforcement. Attorney Eric Daigle sits down with Attorney Joseph Race, an expert in policy and accreditation, to break down the real-world implications of AI in policing. From predictive analytics and real-time crime centers to the legal minefield of facial recognition, this episode
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
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
United States v. Ruiz and the Debate Over Suggestive Photo Arrays and Witness Identification
The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals rendered an opinion in the case of United States v. Ruiz, which considers the reliability of witness identification and highlights the challenges officers often face in balancing investigative procedures with constitutional protections while conducting narcotics operation and investigation.1 This case arose from an incident at the Columbus, New Mexico, port of entry, a location frequented by Sergio Ruiz,
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
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
Fleeing, Failing, and Fatal Force
Baxter v. Santiago-Miranda, Hendren, No. 23-11902, 2024 U.S. App. LEXIS 28813 (11th Cir. Nov. 13, 2024) The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals rendered a recent decision in a case that highlights law enforcement’s use of deadly force, the duty to render medical aid, and the potential liability for state-law battery. Baxter v. Santiago-Miranda and Hendren reached the Eleventh Circuit after a fatal shooting by
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
Voices and Vetoes: Navigating First Amendment Rights in Meinecke v. City of Seattle
Today, we analyze a recent Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision that examines law enforcement’s authority to manage public spaces while addressing the dynamics of public expression and safeguarding citizens’ constitutional freedoms. This case centers on “time, place, and manner” restrictions and the application of obstruction ordinances in response to public hostility toward protected speech. The case, Meinecke v. City of Seattle, arose after two
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
Testifying on Trial: Guiding Law Enforcement Through Expert Testimony in Diaz v. United States
The Supreme Court recently issued a decision in an important case that could affect how law enforcement officers act as expert witnesses. Diaz v. United States deals with a niche yet significant topic: the role of police officers as expert witnesses and the admissibility of law enforcement testimony regarding the defendant’s specific mental state. This case began after Delilah Diaz was stopped at a
Bound by Protocol: The Ninth Circuit’s Ruling on Qualified Immunity in Perez v. City of Fresno
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently rendered a difficult decision in the case of Perez v. City of Fresno. This case stems from an action brought by the surviving family members of Joseph Perez, who asphyxiated and died after police officers, at the direction of a paramedic, used their body weight to restrain Perez while he was prone in