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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 Jeffrey ChamberlainApril 1, 1998

Time and a Half of What?

Most police officers and police employers know that the federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires overtime pay at "time and one-half' for FLSA overtime hours worked. Less well known, however, are some of the FLSA rules governing how time and a half must be calculated. This has sometimes resulted in arithmetic mistakes which have deprived officers of wages to which they are entitled under the law.

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Articlesby Lea HawleyJune 1, 1996

Proper Policing in the Land of Armed Civilians

With 42 states now allowing civil­ians to carry concealed firearms, there is a good chance this man is acting within the law. You will encounter, civilians legally carrying concealed firearms more often today than ever before. How you should respond is largely determined by the behavior of the civilian and the laws in your state.

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Articlesby Donna Lea HawleyMarch 1, 1996

Enforcing Visitation Rights

The law may support the non-custodial parent's right to visitation, but it is usually very time consuming, expensive and difficult to enforce. Often the father's problems start with the wording of the custody order, which is greatly compounded by the mother's lack of cooperation. Unless there's been child abuse accusations, the mother's actions are usually aimed at hurting the father. But in the long run, it's the children who suffer.

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Articlesby Devallis RutledgeFebruary 1, 1996

Picture Perfect in the Eyes of the Court

If you're lucky enough to have an eye­witness to a crime, and your investigation leads to a possible perpetrator, getting a photo ID is often the next logical step. As with everything else you do, there's the wrong way and the court's way.

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Articlesby John BankstonJanuary 1, 1996

Case File: Aileen "Lee" Wuornos

At age 15, Wuornos traded her hard life at home for the dangerous world of the streets. She started drinking and taking drugs. And she slept in abandoned cars or wherever else she thought she'd be safe.

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