Tag: Point of Law

Point of Law

California Deputies to No Longer Respond to Non-Criminal Mental Health Calls

The court found that the use of force by the officers was deemed unreasonable given that the call was a non-criminal mental health request. The court questioned whether any force was appropriate because a crime had not been committed.

February 6, 2025

Point of Law

U.S. Supreme Court Case Could Affect Murder Trial of Ohio Officer

Defense attorneys for Jason Meade, a former Franklin County sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot Casey Goodson Jr., successfully requested a delay for his criminal trial to await direction from the Barnes v. Felix decision.

January 29, 2025

Point of Law

Point of Law: Vehicle Impoundment, Inventory Searches, and the Fourth Amendment

United States v. Ramos serves as a reminder for officers about the possible challenges that may arise when invoking an exception to the Fourth Amendment’s warrant requirement.

December 17, 2024

Point of Law

Point of Law: The Good-Faith Exception in Probable Cause

The exclusionary rule may not apply where police relied in good faith on a warrant later found to be insufficient.

March 26, 2024

Technology

California City Asks State Supreme Court to Review Ruling Over Release of Drone Footage

A 4th District Court of Appeal ruled that while much of the drone footage could be exempt, it was incorrect to rule that all the video footage could be considered tied to investigations.

January 22, 2024

Point of Law

Point of Law: Reasonable Suspicion in Vehicular Stops and Searches

Understanding the nuances between reasonable suspicion and probable cause is crucial in navigating the legal framework of the Fourth Amendment.

November 30, 2023

Special Units

NYPD K-9 Handlers Sue for Overtime Pay for Dog Care

The eight officers — all lieutenants and sergeants who either currently or formerly worked as K-9 officers — want the city to pay them for the time they spend training and grooming the dogs at home.

July 25, 2023

Point of Law

Point of Law: Mouthy Detainees and Excessive Force

In Johnson v. City of Miami Beach, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals let a plaintiff sue an officer for striking him while in custody and secure.

July 7, 2023

Point of Law

Appeals Court Denies Immunity to Charlotte Officer Sued Over Fatal Shooting

In a unanimous reversal Tuesday, three judges from the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court decision last year that granted immunity to Wende Kerl, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg officer who fatally shot Franklin.

April 4, 2023

Point of Law

Point of Law: What the Kobe Bryant Trial Means for Police

“I live in fear every day of being on social media and these (photos) popping up,” Vanessa Bryant testified. “I live in fear of my daughters being on social media and these popping up.”

March 1, 2023

Point of Law

Point of Law: Involuntary Statements During Interrogation

An Eighth Circuit case hinged on whether a suspect could be questioned while under pain meds in the hospital.

January 3, 2023

Point of Law

Point of Law: Using Informants to Conduct Searches

While investigating a public employee, the FBI used a disgruntled associate to search for evidence. It didn’t go well.

October 14, 2022