ARTICLE: Legal Update (September 2010)

Narcotics and Special Enforcement Unit Control and Audits
It is almost becoming a common occurrence when the news reports that some law enforcement special unit’s personnel are indicted or being investigated for criminal misconduct. These types of special units come in various forms and names: HIDTA, street crime, narcotic enforcement, special enforcement, FLEX, CRASH, etc.        Continue Reading >>

ARTICLE: Legal Update (August 2010)

Does a Delay After a Traffic Stop Mandate Evidence Suppression?
Law enforcement officers are tasked with ferreting out criminal activity in the community in which they police. One such tactic used toward this goal is traffic enforcement. Traffic violations are an excellent, legal reason to stop a person and check their driver’s license status and whether they have any outstanding warrants, all the while speaking with the vehicle occupants. Additionally, officers can often obtain consent to search a vehicle after converting the traffic stop into a consensual encounter. However, if an officer unreasonably detains a person after the conclusion of the traffic stop, without additional reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, any evidence obtained will often, but not always, be suppressed. The recent Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals case of the United States v. Norwood, illustrates this point.        Continue Reading >>