Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Point of Law

Point of Law logo with scales of justice in metallic silver text
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.”

Read More →
Newsby Staff WriterAugust 14, 2019

Families of VA Troopers Killed in Helicopter Crash Sue State Police

On August 12, 2017, State Troopers Berke Morgan Matthew Bates and Henry John Cullen III were hovering in a helicopter above the Unite The Right Rally in Charlottesville. As they hovered, the helicopter began to pitch up and down suddenly and eventually crashed into the ground and burst into flames, the lawsuit details.

Read More →
Newsby Staff WriterAugust 8, 2019

Video: Injured Veteran Texas Officer Fights City for Recovery Pay

Over three years since suffering a life-changing back injury on duty, Fort Worth Police Officer Kellie Whitehead is fighting with the city to be paid during her recovery following surgery.

Read More →
Newsby Staff WriterAugust 8, 2019

Cop Killer Pleads Guilty to Killing AZ Officer, Avoids Death Penalty

A man pleaded guilty to all 39 charges in connection with the fatal shooting of Nogales, AZ, Officer Jesus Cordova in April 2018. Prosecutors had planned on pursuing the death penalty, but dropped it in exchange for the guilty plea.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Newsby Staff WriterJuly 16, 2019

DOJ Will Not Charge NYPD Officer Over Garner Death

The Department of Justice will not bring criminal charges against the New York City police officer involved in the death of Eric Garner, citing insufficient evidence, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Read More →
Newsby Staff WriterJune 27, 2019

SCOTUS Affirms Police Can Draw Blood From Unconscious Drivers

In a 5-4 vote on Thursday, the Supreme Court upheld a Wisconsin law that says people driving on a public road have impliedly consented to having their blood drawn if police suspect them of driving under the influence. It also said that "exigent circumstances" permit police to obtain a blood sample without a warrant.

Read More →
Newsby Staff WriterJune 25, 2019

Illinois Now 11th State to Allow Recreational Marijuana

Legalization in Illinois also means that nearly 800,000 people with criminal records for purchasing or possessing 30 grams of marijuana or less may have those records expunged.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Newsby Staff WriterJune 21, 2019

Judge Orders Special Prosecutor to Look Into Dismissal of Smollett Case

“There was no master on the bridge to guide the ship as it floundered through uncharted waters, and it ultimately lost its bearings,” Toomin wrote in the 21-page opinion. “... The unprecedented irregularities identified in this case warrants the appointment of independent counsel to restore the public’s confidence in the integrity of our criminal justice system.”

Read More →
Articlesby Greg MeyerJune 14, 2019

Tactics and Training: Legal Grounds for Using Force

Some agencies have policies and training that are not current with the law.

Read More →
Articlesby David GriffithJune 14, 2019

Controversial Legislation: The California Compromise

Golden State politicians wanted to make "necessary" the standard for police to use deadly force, but they settled for "reasonable."

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Articlesby Eric DaigleJune 13, 2019

Officer, Am I Free to Go?

Without reasonable suspicion or probable cause, you cannot legally detain a subject during a consensual contact.

Read More →