Ruling Could Have Massive Implications for Drivers in Illinois In an update to our previous blog about law enforcement’s ability to search a driver’s vehicle in cases in which officers claim to smell marijuana to effectuate a vehicle search, the Illinois Supreme Court...
Felonies
Department of Justice Release New Guidance on Specialized Police Units
New Guidance Commissioned in Wake of Memphis Man’s Death at Hands of Police The Department of Justice released a new guide meant to assist law enforcement agencies oversee and manage special units on the one-year anniversary of the death of Tyre Nicols, who was beaten...
Federal Bureau of Prisons in Need of Overhaul as Issues Mount
Legislation to Authorize Independent Oversight Stalls in the Senate The Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”) has faced mounting criticism after conditions have slowly deteriorated over decades, culminating in the federal government settling up a hotline for incarcerated...
Utah Supreme Court Rules Fifth Amendment Protects Cell Phone Passwords
In Contrast to Illinois Supreme Court, Utah Rules that Police Cannot Compel Suspect to Turn Over Password to Cell Phone In an update to our prior coverage of an Illinois State Supreme Court decision earlier this year, the Utah Supreme Court has reached the opposite...
Federal Government to Crack Down On Money Laundering
Department of Treasury Issues Final Rule Increasing Transparency to Law Enforcement This week the U.S. Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) detailed new rules for small businesses and startups requiring it reports ownership in a move...
Police Lose Investigation Tool with New Google Policy of Noncompliance
Google Will No Longer Respond to “Geofence” Warrants Google recently announced changes to its data retention of users location history that makes it impossible for the company to access a user’s data from Google Maps. Previously, Google would use this data to comply...
Injunctive Relief Sought Against Illinois Assault Rifle Ban Denied in Federal Appellate Court, Could the United States Supreme Court Weigh in?
Denial of Injunctive Relief Upheld in 2-1 Split In Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals As we have previously covered, there has been a flurry of litigation after the Illinois state legislature passed a ban on the sale and transfer of various assault weapons and...
More Changes to Federal Sentencing Guidelines
Expansion of Compassionate Release As we previously covered, changes to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines for the sentencing of “Zero Point Offenders” went into effect November 1, 2023 after there was no objection from Congress. Those changes also will be applied...
Famous Rapper Questions Lawyers Use of AI at Federal Trial
Rapper Accuses Attorney of Outsourcing Closing Arguments to AI Technology In Request for New Trial Prakazrel Michel, better known by his professional name “Pras” and as a member of the hip hop group Fugees, recently appealed his April federal conviction on charges of...
Lawful Marijuana Users May Have Gun Rights Restored
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals Hears Case Concerning Medical Marijuana Users and the Second Amendment As we have previously covered, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) and by extension the federal government remain committed to denying...