Category: Federal Criminal Law

In a forceful per curiam decision handed down on May 5, 2014, the U.S.
 
Supreme Court overturned a ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Robert R. Tolan—a budding African-American professional baseball player who…

In 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court in District of Columbia v. Heller held that the Second Amendment codified a “pre-existing” right that allows individuals to keep and bear arms. The court specifically found that the right to self-defense is undeniable…

Generally the Forth Amendment allows brief investigative stops,Terry stops, only when there exists a particular and objective basis for suspecting criminal activity.
 
In 1990, in Alabama v. White, the U.S. Supreme Court discussed the weight an “anonymous tip” should…

The police can lie, deceive, manipulate and fabricate to obtain confessions from criminal suspects. And it’s legal for them to do so, as long as their interrogation techniques are not “coercive.” This caveat notwithstanding, it is shameful when the police…

Khalil Kenyon Blackman learned a bitter lesson: crime pays, but not always for the criminal. With broad forfeiture statutes, and aggressive law enforcement policies, in place, the Government is now in the game.
 
In 2011, Blackman and a host…

There’s a couple old sayings: First, “if it wasn’t for bad luck, wouldn’t have no luck at all;” and, second, “if it can go wrong, it will.” Well, it’s time to add a third, quite simple saying: “Bergman’s Luck.”
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The People for the American Way has said the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia is “dominated by right wing ideologues” who have the “last word” on more important laws of this nation than any other…