The fishing gets easier; police gain more latitude in traffic stops, and other powers could be on way

Article Abstract:

The US Supreme Court is increasing police powers to conduct searches and to order passengers from a car during traffic stops. The trend started with the 1996 case of Whren v. United States, in which the Court upheld a police routine of performing a search during a traffic stop, even if the purpose was only to search for drugs. Ohio v. Robinette continued the trend and the court may further broaden police powers during their 1996-97 term in Maryland v. Wilson, where the issue is whether policemen can automatically order passengers out of a car during a traffic stop.

Detention of persons, Detention

---

Tangled up in tape; accomplice's blame-shifting recorded confession tests Sixth Amendment

Article Abstract:

The US Supreme Court has granted certiorari in Lilly v. Virginia and will rule on whether the confession of a shooting suspect's brother while in police custody violated the suspect's confrontation rights under the Sixth Amendment. A decision clarifying the confrontation clause's relationship to hearsay could immediately impact state trial procedures since most states recognize a hearsay exception to declarations against penal interest.

Confession (Law), Confessions (Law), Evidence, Hearsay, Hearsay evidence, Confrontation (Criminal law), Confrontation (Law)

---

Red and blue light specials; police may not shop for contraband with every traffic citation

Article Abstract:

The US Supreme Court ruled in Knowles v. Iowa against allowing the police expanded powers to conduct complete searches on anyone stopped for a traffic offense, and in Wyoming v. Houghton will rule on whether police can search the purse of a passenger if there is probable cause to search the car that person was riding in. These two cases suggest that the law governing automobile searches and all other searches is increasingly connected.

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Yes: litigants deserve a justice with an open mind. No: the costs would be too high. Yes: victims deserve justice no less than defendants
• Abstracts: The four ring circus - an updated view of the mating dance among announced merger partners and an unsolicited second or third bidder
• Abstracts: The Canadian Defense Ethics Program and the "corporate model". LittleBrother is watching you

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.