Category: Case Law
I did several media interviews this week about an arrest that was captured on video. While this is not uncommon and I have been asked about videos involving LEOs from around the United States, one…
READ MORE >Despite all the jokes, attorneys are governed by a lot of rules. There are pages of ethics rules, guidelines, and aspirational goals intended to guide the daily work of my profession. One of those standards…
READ MORE >Just about every law enforcement agency has a social media policy. I have litigated many disciplinary actions involving them and with few exceptions, there’s not a dime’s difference between any of them. They seem to…
READ MORE >On January 11, 2016, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued an important opinion for LEOs regarding the use of TASER® devices and other conducted energy weapons. The case involved an…
READ MORE >On May 18, 2015, the United States Supreme Court (USSC) issued the long-awaited opinion in the case of the City of San Francisco v. Sheehan. The case involves the shooting death of a mentally ill…
READ MORE >As typically happens, the media inquiry and focus in the OIS in Missouri is starting to move toward the legal analysis of the use of deadly force. I’ve seen this progression in dozens of OIS…
READ MORE >Since June 2013, I’ve probably done over 50 interviews discussing Stand Your Ground (SYG) laws. It never ceases to amaze me how the concept, and often the plain language of the statutes, are distorted. I…
READ MORE >About once every month, I send a private message or text to a LEO I know on Facebook. This usually follows my reading of a post they wrote criticizing their command staff, work conditions, or…
READ MORE >After a while, you begin to believe that the law has a term for everything. From “uninvolved co-conspirator” to “officious intermeddler,” it makes the practice of law very interesting. It also reminds us that the…
READ MORE >On March 26,2013, the United States Supreme Court issued an opinion in the case of Florida v. Jardines. The case has important implications and guidance for LEOs. As always, I encourage you to read the…
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