May 13, 2022 1:16 pm
Georgia Cops Rummaged Through Student-Athletes’ Luggage in a Fruitless Search for ‘a Little Bit of Marijuana’
When did the K-9 arrive? And what was the probable cause for the search?
Tags: Civil Liberties, constitution, Fourth Amendment, REASON, Supreme Court
May 11, 2022 12:40 pm
ICE Operates a Sweeping ‘Dragnet Surveillance System,’ New Report Finds
ICE has spent $2.8 billion since 2008 developing surveillance and facial-recognition capabilities, mostly in secrecy and without real oversight.
Tags: DHS, Fourth Amendment, immigration, REASON
May 11, 2022 5:01 am
Mandatory Employee COVID Tests Don’t Violate Religious Freedom Rights or Fourth Amendment
The employee argued that “her faith in God ‘will protect her from COVID-19 so there is no reason to take a test.'”
Tags: Fourth Amendment, REASON
May 9, 2022 9:10 am
Sheriff Agrees To Stop Stealing Cannabis Cash From Armored Cars, Saying His Deputies ‘Are Not Highway Robbers’
The settlement came after the Justice Department agreed to return more than $1 million in proceeds from state-licensed marijuana businesses in California.
Tags: california, Fourth Amendment, Marijuana, REASON, War on Drugs
April 9, 2022 7:31 am
Unconstitutional to Pressure Arrestee to Be Baptized in Exchange for Leniency
From Judge Travis McDonough’s opinion Thursday in Riley v. Hamilton County Gov’t (E.D. Tenn.): In this atypical civil-rights case, Plaintiff Shandle Marie Riley brings several claims stemming from a traffic stop that ultimately resulted in her baptism—yes, baptism—by on-duty Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputy Defendant Daniel Wilkey. [Deputy Jacob] Goforth, who was also on duty and…
Tags: Fourth Amendment, REASON
April 8, 2022 2:30 pm
Minneapolis Bans Police Use of No-Knock Warrants
After the tragic shooting of Amir Locke, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has made changes to the controversial practice. But are they enough?
Tags: Fourth Amendment, REASON
April 7, 2022 1:00 pm
Minnesota’s Attorney General Says the Cop Who Killed Amir Locke Was Defending Himself. So Was Locke.
That perplexing situation underlines the hazards of police tactics that aim to prevent violence but often have the opposite effect.
Tags: Fourth Amendment, Gun Rights, REASON, second amendment
April 5, 2022 2:06 pm
The Supreme Court Says You Can Sue Cops Who Frame You on False Charges
The previous standard barring such lawsuits made “little sense,” wrote Justice Brett Kavanaugh for the majority.
Tags: Fourth Amendment, REASON, Supreme Court
April 1, 2022 6:30 am
‘Geofence Warrant’ for All Cell Location Data From Area Near Robbery Is Ruled Unconstitutional
Plus: New rules on sex discrimination in education, economists warn of housing market exuberance, and more…
Tags: Fourth Amendment, Google, REASON
March 31, 2022 2:30 pm
A Federal Judge Says a Victim of Retaliatory Prosecution Can Sue a Cop Who Treated Criticism As a Crime
An Arkansas police officer used trumped-up charges to punish a man who criticized him for violating the Constitution.
Tags: First Amendment, Fourth Amendment, free speech, REASON
March 25, 2022 2:45 pm
The 5th Circuit Approves a Cop’s Violent Response to a Dispute Over a 7-Year-Old’s Littering
The officer used a “pain compliance maneuver” to force information from the boy’s sister, who was recording the encounter.
Tags: Fourth Amendment, REASON, Supreme Court, Texas
March 23, 2022 12:12 pm
Tennessee Statute Authorizing Wildlife Resource Agency Searches Facially Unconstitutional
So holds a Tennessee court.
Tags: Fourth Amendment, REASON
March 17, 2022 8:40 am
Police Officer Kills Dog for Walking Toward Him With Tail Wagging
Bradley Brock says his dog Moose was walking toward a police officer wagging its tail when the officer gunned his pet down.
Tags: Fourth Amendment, REASON
March 17, 2022 3:00 am
Time To Close the Car Snitch Loophole
When you plug your phone into your car to listen to your favorite band or podcast, you give police a way to rummage around in your personal data without a warrant.
Tags: Civil Liberties, Fourth Amendment, REASON