Source: http://www.bluesheepdog.com/category/legal-issues/
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 14:01:47+00:00

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The BlueSheepDog Crew are committed to bringing our readers up-to-date posts on the tactics, training, firearms, and equipment used by today’s law enforcement professionals. Part of that commitment has been our posting key judicial rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court and the Federal Appellate Courts. Our hope is the information will be reviewed by officers for insight and guidance in the finer legalities of enforcement actions.
EDITOR’S NOTE: BlueSheepDog Crew are not attorneys. The information provided here is for educational purposes only and should not be solely relied upon when making enforcement decisions or actions. The BSD Crew recommend officers review the Court rulings and consult with their local prosecutors and/or department legal advisors before taking action.
The U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.
On January 5th, 2016, the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals decided the case of United States v. Daniel, providing an excellent review concerning police officers use of probable cause and the automobile exception to the warrant requirement. This case is particularly important in clarifying the legal requirements of officers searching a motor vehicle at a stop location.
When the U.S. Supreme Court decided the case of Arizona v. Gant, they altered Supreme Court case-law stretching back nearly 100 years. In essence, the decision in Gant prohibited officers from routinely searching the “lunge able” areas of a motor vehicle after a lawful arrest. Previously the Supreme Court had ruled in New York v. Belton, and Chimel v. California, this type of search incident to arrest was acceptable as long as it was limited to areas an occupant could have reasonably had access to a weapon or destructible evidence prior to arrest.
The case of United States v. Daniel (2016) may provide greater insight and clarity into when it is still permissible for an officer to make a warrantless search of an automobile.
The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, Ohio.
This case is a little over a year old, but the decision of the United States 6th Circuit Court of Appeals should send a serious wake-up call to law enforcement tactical teams across the nation. At issue was the use of “flash bangs” and automatic firearms in the apprehension of a wanted felon who engaged officers and the community with gunfire.
Though the 6th Circuit covers only Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, the decisions of Federal Appellate Courts are reviewed and strongly considered when similar cases are reviewed by the other Circuits. The case may only be binding within the 6th Circuit, but its language and tone will be felt across the nation.
The United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against law enforcement officers claiming Qualified Immunity in the case of Maresca v. Fuentes. The case involves a Deputy Sheriff entering the wrong license plate number into their patrol car’s mobile data terminal (MDT), resulting in a false alert to a stolen vehicle. The deputies performed a high risk car stop, following fairly standard procedures, including having weapons drawn and ordering the occupants out of the vehicle and onto the roadway.

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