Four factors used to assess whether 911 call sufficient for terry stop
Facts In 2018, a 911 caller reported a suspicious confrontation, possibly an armed robbery, transpiring in the parking lot of a Dallas liquor store. The caller, whose number was logged although he declined to identify himself, described seeing two people sitting in a white Ford Crown Victoria parked beside the store near a trash can. […]
Deputy sexual activity without contact is enough for § 1983 under 14th amendment
Facts In 2018, Wade Tyson called the Sheriff’s Department of Sabine County, Texas, to request a welfare check on his wife, Melissa Tyson. Wade reported that he was out of town and worried about his wife, who was home alone and distressed. Defendant Deputy David Boyd called Tyson that evening and told her that he […]
Pole camera directed at front and back of home does not raise privacy interest
Facts The Department of Homeland Security began investigating Michael Dennis after a number of accomplices described delivering marijuana to him. On April 30, 2018, DHS agents installed pole cameras directed at the front and back of Dennis’s properties in Houston, Texas. Until July 9, 2018, the cameras captured video of incidents similar to the deliveries described […]
mere allegations of verbal abuse or epithets do not rise to §1983 violations
Facts Earnest Matthews is an inmate currently in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Matthews brought a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 lawsuit against Department officials, alleging that his civil rights had been violated. He alleged that a prison guard, Sergeant Patricia Miller, directed racial slurs at him and was biased against African-American […]
Constructive possession of firearm in vehicle parked 30 yards from house
Facts In 2020, Sergeant Jack Miller began surveilling Dale Green‘s home based on a confidential informant’s tip that someone at the residence was selling narcotics out of a vehicle in front of the home. Miller received a tip that someone named “Marco” was in front of the residence dealing drugs out of an SUV. Along […]
Plaintiffs do not have to show that jailers caused a death to recover for excessive force
Facts Many cities privatize their prisons. Monroe, Louisiana is no exception. From 2001–2019, the City engaged Richwood Correctional Center, LLC, to house arrestees and inmates. Richwood assigned its rights and obligations under the agreement to LaSalle Management, LLC. In short, Richwood owned the prison. LaSalle ran it. And as part of running the prison, LaSalle […]