The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Following is the case brief for Illinois v. Gates, United States Supreme Court, (1983) Case summary for Illinois v. Gates: The police received an anonymous letter claiming that Mr. and Mrs. Gates were running an illegal drug business and outlining future action. Upon receiving the letter, police further investigated and it was determined that most of the informants tips were […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Tennessee v. Garner, 471 U.S. 1 (1985). Case Summary of Tennessee v. Garner: Police officer shot and killed an unarmed fleeing suspect – Garner. Garner’s family sued, alleging that Garner’s constitutional rights were violated. The District Court found no constitutional violation. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed. The U.S. Supreme Court held that deadly […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Katz v. United States, 389 U.S. 347 (1967). Case Summary of Katz v. United States: The FBI, using a device attached to the outside of a telephone booth, recorded petitioner’s phone conversations while in the enclosed booth. Petitioner was subsequently convicted of making wagering calls in violation of federal law. The FBI’s recordings were used as […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Arizona v. Gant, Supreme Court of the United States, (2009) Case Summary of Arizona v. Gant: Gant was pulled over and arrested for driving while license suspended. After being cuffed and secured in the back of a cop car, officers searched his car and found a gun and drugs. Gant moved to have the […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989). Case Summary of Graham v. Connor Petitioner Graham had an oncoming insulin reaction because of his diabetes. Respondent Connor and other respondent police officers perceived his behavior as suspicious. In conducting an investigatory stop, the officers inflicted multiple injuries on Graham. The lower courts used a “substantive […]
Read moreA search warrant is a court order authorizing law enforcement officials to search an individual’s private residence or other premises for evidence of a crime. The search warrant also allows law enforcement officials to confiscate any evidence they find that is related to the crime. Search warrants are made necessary by the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects […]
Read moreThe exclusionary rule prevents the government from presenting evidence in trial which was gathered in violation of the Fourth Amendment’s protection against illegal search and seizure. A doctrine commonly used in American courts, the exclusionary rule discourages police and other law enforcement agents from obtaining evidence illegally. The court will suppress or ban evidence that was gathered in violation of […]
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