The right to remain silent
The Miranda Warning, commonly referred to as Miranda Rights, is something you are probably familiar with due to various movies and TV shows. Although the Supreme Court does not stipulate an exact wording of these rights, law enforcement agencies have determined a fundamental set of statements to be read to accused persons before they can be questioned.
Knock, Knock. Who’s there?
Imagine you are sitting in your home enjoying some television when all of a sudden you see a group of policemen stroll down the street with a K-9 unit. This specialized drug hunter barks in the direction of your house indicating there may be illegal substances in your dwelling. The police have the right to break down the door and search your home because that may now be considered probable cause. The United States Supreme Court heard two cases back to back, Florida v. Jardines and Florida v. Harris, that will decide just that.
“Supreme” Court?
It’s that time of year again when the United States Supreme Court unveils its agenda for the year season. One interesting case to make sure to watch for is Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons. The case deals with the first-sale doctrine. A precedent established by the Supreme Court since 1908 that acknowledges compete ownership of a product by the consumer after the first purchase. This case all started with college textbooks, an expense all college students are aware of. An international student, Supap Kirstaeng, told his family back in Thailand to buy his textbooks on the international market. He got them for a huge discount and shipped them to him privately. Currently, international textbooks are not allowed to be sold in the United States. After Mr. Kirstaeng read the books, he sold them in the US. The textbook company filed suit and the controversy has made its way up to the Supreme Court.
Constitutional rights
Federal Judge Katherine recently put in place a permanent injunction to block the Obama Administration from implementing the indefinite detention portions of the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act. President Obama has appealed this decision. In this law, American citizens’ right of due process and trial by jury have been severely weakened if not destroyed. Any citizen considered an ‘associated force’ to terrorism may be held indefinitely. This ambiguous language has left many to question what specifically an ‘associated force’ means.
Caught on camera
In Orlando, Florida, an Innovative Response to Improve Safety, or an IRIS Camera, stopped a crime in progress. This was also the first time that this camera system was used to intervene during the middle of the criminal activity. What crime? Was it Murder, rape, maybe terrorism, no it was someone thought to be smoking pot. The police officer viewing the activity assumed Joe Haywood and two other individuals were smoking Marijuana and dispatched an officer right away to stop the illegal activity. When a patrol car arrived on scene, the man with the alleged marijuana swallowed the substance. The officer then said he saw a marijuana leaf stuck on Haywood’s teeth. Haywood was arrested and the others were let go. He has retained an attorney and plans on suing the police department.
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