Opinion ID: 423
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The District Court Grants Summary Judgment on Revell's Claims

Text: Following discovery, the Port Authority and Erickson moved for summary judgment, arguing that probable cause supported Revell's arrest and that Erickson is protected by qualified immunity. They asserted that § 926A did not immunize Revell from arrest for violating New Jersey's gun laws because, contrary to an express requirement of § 926A, Revell's weapon was readily accessible to him during his stay in New Jersey. They also moved for summary judgment on Revell's due process claim, arguing that New Jersey has in place adequate post-deprivation procedures for those who seek the return of property seized upon arrest, including state tort remedies, and that Revell failed to avail himself of any of those procedures. The District Court held that the Port Authority and Erickson were entitled to summary judgment on the Fourth Amendment claim, because probable cause [for the arrest and property seizure] developed during ... [Erickson's] questioning concerning Revell's transportation of a handgun and ammunition through New Jersey. (App. at 78.) The Court found persuasive the defense argument that Revell's conduct fell outside § 926A since it is undisputed that Revell left the airport with his luggage for an overnight stay at a hotel in New Jersey, thus giving him ready access to the gun during that period. The Court also explained that § 926A does not address anything but vehicular travel; it does not encompass keeping the weapon  locked in a case or not  in an airport hotel overnight. (App. at 77.) Alternatively, the Court held that Erickson was entitled to qualified immunity because probable cause existed for Revell's arrest and, therefore, no constitutional right was violated. The District Court also concluded that summary judgment against Revell on his due process claim was proper because he had failed to take advantage of available state remedies for the return of his property, namely, a state court lawsuit. [9] In a March 31, 2009 order, the District Court granted the summary judgment motion in accordance with its memorandum opinion. Revell timely appealed both the summary judgment order and the order dismissing his original complaint.