In our previous blog post of the “Understanding Search Warrants” series, Particularity in search warrants, we learned what makes a good description of a search location or evidence, and what …
Understanding Search Warrants: Particularity in search warrants
In our previous blog post of the “Understanding Search Warrants” series, Expertise Statements, we explored what it takes to prove to the court that you know what you are talking …
Understanding Search Warrants: Expertise Statements
In our previous blog post of the “Understanding Search Warrants” series, About the search warrant document, we explored the composition and importance of search warrant documents, with a specific focus …
Understanding Search Warrants: About the search warrant document
Welcome to our exciting new blog series: Understanding Search Warrants. This article is about the search warrant document. In these posts, we’ll take a close look at search warrants and …
Writing Instagram Search Warrants
Instagram isn’t just for selfies and food photos—it can be a goldmine of evidence in a criminal investigation. Actions such as posting a photo or reel, sending a DM, or …
Vehicle Search & Seizure: Lessons from Arizona v. Gant
Arizona v. Gant, 556 U.S. 332 (2009) is a crucial court case that helps us understand the rules around police searches. Let’s explore this case in detail. The Story Before …
The role of a Special Master: Protecting sensitive & privileged documents.
As search warrant experts, we often get questions about “Special Masters” and the crucial role they play in search warrant processes. But what exactly does a Special Master do? How …
AB 793 – The End of Reverse Keyword & Geofence Search Warrants
California AB 793 aims to prohibit law enforcement from seeking, enforcing, assisting, or supporting reverse keyword and geofence search warrants in California or any other state. In short, AB 793 kills geofence warrants.
The curious case of curtilage.
United States v. Banks (7th Cir. 2023) emphasizes the importance of securing a warrant when conducting a search, even if there is reasonable suspicion to believe that a crime is being committed. The case involved a police officer seeing a convicted felon with a gun in a Snapchat post and subsequently going to his house without a warrant. After a struggle, the officers found a loaded gun and ammunition on Banks. Banks argued that the officers’ intrusion on his porch without a warrant was unlawful, and although his initial motion was denied, it was later overturned on appeal. The court reiterated that a person’s home is entitled to a high degree of protection under the Fourth Amendment, and the front porch of a residence is generally considered part of the curtilage that requires a warrant, consent, or some other Fourth Amendment exception. The case serves as a reminder that Fourth Amendment protections apply not only to a person’s home but also to the curtilage surrounding it, including the front porch, and that a simple search warrant could have easily avoided the suppression of evidence.
Understanding Search Warrants: Blanket Search Warrants
This article discusses overly broad search warrants and keep your warrant from being traversed.