Law for VA LEOs

Ep. 137 - Parking Violations and the Fourth Amendment - Suppression Reversed by Court of Appeals

This month, the Court of Appeals addressed what authority officers have regarding passengers in parking violation investigations, reversing suppression by a trial court j

Ep. 136: 3 Deadly Force Rulings in 30 days - All Dismissed

In the last month or so, the 4th Circuit has issued three rulings in three different deadly force cases, dismissing each lawsuit. Today we talk about why these cases were

Ep. 135 - New Legal Restrictions on Law Enforcement: Masks, Informants, Badge Numbers, Facial Recognition - General Assembly 2026

This week, we talk about restrictions that the General Assembly imposed on law enforcement regarding facial coverings, displaying your name/badge#/agency, informants, and

Ep. 134 - U.S. Supreme Court Rules on Geofence Warrants

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a major ruling on law enforcement searches of cellphone and location data held by third parties in the Chatrie "geofence" case th

Ep. 133: Is Carrying a Concealed Handgun Reasonable Suspicion for a Stop? Ct. of App. says No - Then Yes - Then No - Then Yes - Then....

Last week, the Court of Appeals ruled unequivocally that merely carrying a firearm, concealed, is not a basis for a stop. However, the Court also ruled unequivocally that

Ep. 132: Virginia "Assault Weapons" Ban and Other Firearm Laws for July 1, 2026

This month, the General Assembly enacted several new firearms restrictions that will directly affect Virginia law enforcement officers starting July 1, 2026. Today we exa

Ep. 131 - When is detention "custody" that requires Miranda? Two new rulings from Va. Ct. of App.

In the last two weeks, the Virginia Court of Appeals has issued two rulings finding that temporary detentions were "custody" and required Miranda, one traffic stop and on

Ep. 130 - Pat Down of Backpack Lawful - Va. Ct. of App. FINALLY rules on this issue

Last week, the Virginia Court of Appeals finally resolved an issue raised by the 4th Circuit in 2023 about when and how law enforcement can frisk the bag of an armed susp

Ep. 129 - New Use of Force Ruling from US Supreme Court - Dismisses Lawsuit

Last week, the US Supreme Court reversed the 2nd Circuit and dismissed a use of non-deadly force lawsuit regarding use of force against a protester. We examine that rulin

Ep. 128 - 3 Cases on Length of a Lawful Traffic Stop and RAS for drugs

This month, the Virginia Court of Appeals issued two rulings on whether officers lawfully extended traffic stops, and the 4th Circuit issued another in December. Today we

Ep. 127 - 4th Cir. Refuses Qualified Immunity for Case Where Plaintiff Points and Shoots Gun at Police?

Last month, the 4th Circuit refused to dismiss a lawsuit against police officers in Maryland who shot and killed a man who fled while carrying a gun and, they testify, pu

Ep. 126 - Major U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Emergency Entries

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in Case v. Montana, which we discussed in Ep. 124. Today we discuss that ruling and what it means for law enforcement.

Ep. 125: Court of Appeals Rules on Flock License Plate Readers (finally!)

Two weeks ago, the Virginia Court of Appeals (finally) ruled on whether law enforcement needs a search warrant to use FLOCK license plate reader cameras. Today we discuss

Ep. 124 - U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Emergency Entry Case

The U.S. Supreme Court announced that in October they will hear a case that could be one of the most significant cases in 20 years on emergency entries into homes. Today,

Ep. 123 - Suppression of a Search Warrant Reversed by Court of Appeals - Plus, Exigent Search and CLSI Search Affirmed

Last month, the Court of Appeals reversed the ruling of a trial court suppressing evidence from a search warrant in a murder case. The court also examined issues of exige

Ep. 122: "Sealing" - How Virginia finally decided to handle sealing criminal convictions

In Episode 115, we discussed the potential conviction "sealing" law that was going to take effect in July 2025. This year, the General Assembly made big changes to that s

Ep. 121 - First Deadly Force Ruling by 4th Circuit Since U.S. Supreme Court "Changed" the Law

This week, the 4th Circuit issued a ruling in a high-profile police deadly force case, applying the "new" rule announced by the U.S. Supreme Court last month that we disc

Ep. 120 - Major New Use of Deadly Force Ruling by U.S. Supreme Court

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a highly-anticipated ruling in a deadly force case from Texas - does it change the law? We examine the potential impact in Virgin

Ep. 119 - 4th Circuit Finally Rules on Geofence Warrants .... Sort Of ...

This week, the 4th Circuit issued its much-anticipated En Banc ruling in Chatrie geofence case. We examine the ruling and what it means for lawful process seeking electro

Ep. 118 - Consent: Two New Cases

In the last few months, there have been interesting cases on consent to search, including a ruling on a common question regarding consent and searching bags in vehicles.