Courts

Xiphos (KSEE-fohss) a doubled-edged, one-handed sword used by ancient Greeks. Xiphos is Lexipol's monthly legal newsletter, providing insight and analysis on topical legal cases from Ken Wallentine, Legal Advisor. Subscriptions are free for public safety officers, educators and public attorneys. From the author ~ I don’t get much mail [...]

Payne argued that using biometrics is akin to providing a physical key to a safe but still a testimonial act because it confirms ownership and authentication of the phone’s contents, according to the report. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit dismissed this, stating, “Payne was never [...]

CISDs help responders deal with on-the-job trauma; recent cases put peer support group counseling confidentiality in doubt By Emily Hitchings from Police1.com Each day, across the United States, first responders risk their own safety for the welfare of the communities they serve. In addition to bodily harm, public safety [...]

By Ken Wallentine for Lexipol  United States v. Ronquillo, 2024 WL 972215 (10th Cir. 2024) After receiving a tip from a confidential informant (CI) about drug sales from a residence, investigators watched the house and saw multiple persons enter the residence, stay for a few minutes, then leave. The CI made two [...]

A MONTHLY LEGAL RESOURCE AND COMMENTARY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND AGENTS Eighth Circuit United States v. Ralston: Whether the requirements of the “Leon Good Faith” exception were meet where officers executed a search warrant on the suspect’s property, and also that of a nearby neighbor Eight Circuit United [...]

By Ken Wallentine for Lexipol Thomas v. City of Harrisburg, 88 F.4th 275 (3rd Cir. 2023) A municipal police officer and a probation officer saw Terrelle Thomas, along with another man, leave a bar and get into a vehicle as passengers. The police officer conducted a traffic stop and noted Thomas [...]

Seventh Circuit United States v. Hays, No. 22-3294 (7th Cir. 2023) In this case, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit reviewed an appeal related to a Fourth Amendment issue involving a warrantless search of a vehicle. The defendant, Charles Hays, was stopped by the police [...]

By Jenna Curren for Law Enforcement Today On Friday, January 12th, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle ruled that a United States law prohibiting people from possessing firearms while inside of a post office goes against their constitutional rights. According to Fox News, Judge Mizelle, an appointee of former President [...]

As part of an ongoing effort to improve public access to court information through the Missouri Courts website, the judiciary has launched a new feature making the Supreme Court of Missouri rules and court operating rules available in a searchable, mobile-friendly, more accessible format. From the new Court Rules landing [...]