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Point of Law

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Articles

Point of Law: The Limits of Electronic Searches

Can an individual be prosecuted for despicable criminal conduct based on evidence obtained in violation of the United States Constitution? Ultimately, the Ninth Circuit judges wrote, “In the circumstances of this case (United States v. Holcomb, 23-469 (9th Cir. 2025)), respect for the Constitution and the rule of law requires an answer of “no.”

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Articlesby Kimberly M. ThompsonJanuary 1, 2006

By the Numbers

The police in my area made national news when a local dog owner and repeat offender of the leash law tricked them into issuing a citation for a $50 fine to his dog. The dog owner made a mockery of the situation by requesting a hearing on behalf of the dog, and reporters found that very amusing.

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Articlesby Dan PasqualeJanuary 1, 2006

Do You Swear?

Brushing up on courtroom testimony.

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Articlesby Devallis RutledgeDecember 1, 2005

Taking Evidence from the Suspect

A criminal suspect has a Fifth Amendment right not to be compelled to incriminate himself, so he cannot be forced to make a statement. But if he is lawfully in custody, he can be compelled to submit to particular tests or to provide exemplars of his physical attributes. Under some circumstances, he can also be compelled to behave in certain ways (“modeling”) in order to assist in identification.

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Articlesby Dave YoungNovember 1, 2005

Special Deliveries

For generations law enforcement has been seeking the perfect round, the so-called “magic bullet.” The ideal police weapon is a munition that could be fired at a distance to temporarily incapacitate a suspect so that he or she could be taken into custody without injury to either the suspect or the arresting officer. It would work every time, and it would be a substitute for deadly force.

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Articlesby Devallis RutledgeNovember 1, 2005

Residential Protective Sweeps

There's always a risk that when a Supreme Court decision discusses two or more major points, those points may get blurred. One familiar example is Terry v. Ohio, which is often cited as the opinion that gave us the "stop and frisk" rule.

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ProductsOctober 1, 2005

Maxsell Walther Blank-Firing Replicas

Walther blank-firing replica guns are now available in the United States through distributor Maxsell Corp. These automatics incorporate 9mmPA ammunition that is larger and 20 percent louder than the former 8mm ammo. Importation of these realistic replicas has been approved by ATF as complying with all U.S. safety laws.

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Articlesby Devallis RutledgeOctober 1, 2005

Public Safety Searches

For at least 10 years, it has been clear that terrorists favor targeting transportation systems, high-density population venues, and symbolic structures.

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Articlesby David GriffithSeptember 1, 2005

Liability: Staying Off the Hook

A process server has dropped a summons and complaint notice in your hand. You’re being sued for something that the plaintiff claims you did on the job.

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Articlesby Devallis RutledgeSeptember 1, 2005

Investigative Traffic Stops

Most traffic stops are routine. You see a moving or equipment violation, make the stop, and issue a citation or warning. Everything’s over in 10 minutes or so.

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Articlesby David GriffithSeptember 1, 2005

Making a Federal Case

The overwhelming majority of lawsuits filed against police officers and their agencies include both state and federal causes of action.

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