Highlights of This Issue

United States Supreme Court Action

• Court Limits Free Speech Rights of public employees
• "Knock and Announce" Rule violations do not require suppression of evidence under Fourth Amendment exclusionary rule
• Parolees May Be Searched without reasonable suspicion
• Warrantless Home Entries approved to prevent injury to occupants

Federal and State Decisions

• Shining Flashlight on Defendant was not a Fourth Amendment "seizure"; abandoned evidence was therefore admissible
• Blocking a Car is a Fourth Amendment "seizure"
• Loss of Search Warrant does not require suppression of evidence
• Moving a Vehicle to conduct a search does not invalidate the search
• Courtyard of Residence was a constitutionally protected area
• Telephonic Search Warrant Approved on basis of necessity
• Duplex Common Hallway not protected by Fourth Amendment
• Evidence Abandoned During Police Chase was not spoiled by illegal seizure that took place after the chase had ended
• Interrogation Issues: effect of prior non-custodial warnings; showing victim to defendant was not "interrogation"; ambiguous reference to an attorney; police false statements about probable cause; public safety exception; lie detector issues; sentencing hearing evidence; "pre-interview" statements; telling defendant to tell the truth; effect of sleep deprivation; effect of initial refusal to discuss crime
• Crimes, Evidence, Defense Issues: causing death of police officer in chase; giving police false name; videotape of traffic stop; racial profiling; outrageous police conduct; focusing on defendant
• Trial Procedure Issues: disclosure of informer; police testimony about informer; police testimony about quantity of drugs
• Civil Liability/Personnel Issues: false arrest; entrapment; consent searches; police pursuit; use of force; control hold; training exercises; loss of evidence; free speech; showing racist tattoos; contract issues; disclaimers; racial discrimination; retaliation; sexual harassment

Contents