Topic

Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure

Every decision we've filed under Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure.

Related topics

Civil 3399 Criminal 1956 Summary Judgment 806 Sentencing Guidelines 718 Civil Rights - Section 1983 647 Immigration (Civil) 646 Constitutional 536 Supervised Release 473 Drug Trafficking 443 Civil Rights - Employment 367 Firearms 319 Qualified Immunity 251
Apr 15 2026
10th Cir. 5:23-CV-03032-EFM-BGS Panel Decision

ADRIAN D. LIVINGSTON v. UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY; WYANDOTTE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS; ADAM SOKOLOFF; TAYLOR HINES; (FNU) SANDERS; (FNU) CONTRERAS; DONA...

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Adrian Livingston's Section 1983 claims, ruling that his post-acquittal detention was justified by good-faith reliance on an inaccurate detention system. The court rejected arguments regarding malicious prosecution, statute of limitations, and supervisory liability, finding no constitutional violations or policy failures by the county.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity
Read summary →
Apr 15 2026
6th Cir. 24-5626 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JORGE FLORES (24-5610); KEVIN TIDWELL (24-5626); JOSE PINEDA-CACERES

The Sixth Circuit affirmed RICO and VICAR convictions for three MS-13 members, rejecting challenges to a protective sweep, jury selection, and expert testimony. The court held that the evidence sufficiently supported the gang-related murder conspiracy charges and that the district court did not abuse its discretion in its evidentiary rulings.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Sixth Amendment - Confrontation Clause
Read summary →
Apr 14 2026
7th Cir. 25-1918 Panel Decision

Jane Doe 1 v. Sloan

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a Fourteenth Amendment substantive due process claim against law enforcement officials. The court held that no fundamental liberty interest exists protecting minors from police sharing sexually explicit images with an untrained auxiliary officer during an investigation.

Civil Rights - Section 1983 Constitutional Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255)
Read summary →
Apr 13 2026
10th Cir. 2:24-CR-00012-SWS-1) Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JAMES NEMETH

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the denial of James Nemeth's motions to suppress evidence and dismiss charges, ruling that his Fourth Amendment argument was procedurally waived and his Second Amendment challenge is foreclosed by binding precedent. The court held that Nemeth failed to preserve the specific claim that a dog sniff at his motel door violated his privacy interest inside the room, and his challenge to the felon-in-possession statute is barred by the circuit's recent decision in Vincent v. Bondi.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Supervised Release
Read summary →
Apr 13 2026
5th Cir. 25-30016 Panel Decision

Alexander v. Arceneaux

The Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for police officers, holding that their seizure of unlisted electronics fell within the Fourth Amendment's plain view doctrine. The court found that specific tips regarding stolen goods, combined with the items' suspicious packaging and location, provided probable cause to believe the property was contraband.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity
Read summary →
Apr 13 2026
4th Cir. 24-2237 Panel Decision

JEFFERY PAYNE v. SGT. JOSHUA MOSER

The Fourth Circuit vacated summary judgment in a Fourth Amendment excessive force case, holding that genuine disputes of material fact exist regarding the reasonableness of a vehicle ramming and shooting. The court ruled that a reasonable jury could find the force used was not objectively justified given the suspect was unarmed and the circumstances did not pose an immediate threat.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity
Read summary →
Apr 8 2026
10th Cir. 2:23-CR-00915-MIS-1) Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JESUS CORONADO

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion to suppress evidence, holding that a lessee's general consent to search a unit for a suspect extended to the unit's roof. The court found officers lawfully seized a firearm from the roof under the plain-view doctrine because the search remained within the scope of that consent.

Constitutional Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255)
Read summary →
Apr 6 2026
5th Cir. 25-40187 Per Curiam

United States v. Spencer

The Fifth Circuit affirmed Robert Spencer's convictions for possessing a firearm and an explosive device, ruling that police actions were justified by exigent circumstances. The court further held that any potential Fourth Amendment violation was attenuated from the evidence under the doctrine established in Utah v. Strieff.

Constitutional Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure
Read summary →
Apr 6 2026
10th Cir. 1:23-CV-01108-DDD-JPO Panel Decision

Morphew v. Chaffee County, Colorado

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Barry Morphew's civil rights lawsuit, ruling that he failed to plausibly allege a lack of probable cause for his arrest and prosecution. The court held that the arrest affidavit contained sufficient evidence of motive, means, and opportunity to support the murder charges, regardless of the alleged misconduct by investigators.

Civil Rights - Section 1983 Criminal Drug Trafficking Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure
Read summary →
Apr 3 2026
5th Cir. 25-50222 Per Curiam

United States v. Swift

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion to suppress evidence found on a microSD card, ruling that the subsequent warrant search was constitutional under the good faith exception. The court held that an officer's reliance on the warrant was objectively reasonable because the legality of the school district's initial search was unclear.

Constitutional Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure
Read summary →