There is a growing consensus among federal appeals courts that law enforcement can request tracking data from a user’s cellphone without a warrant and without violating the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable search and seizure. The Supreme Court just...
NPR to Film Chinese Youth Orchestra Visiting Poconos
We are pleased to announce a wonderful opportunity for the Poconos. NPR’s From the Top with Host Christopher O’Riley, the preeminent showcase for young musicians heard weekly on WRTI and WWFM, will record a radio broadcast at the Smith-McFarland Theater...
Stephanos Bibas reportedly nominated for Third Circuit Judgeship
The press is reporting today that President Trump nominated Stephanos Bibas for a Third Circuit judgeship. Bibas is reported to be a law professor at Penn and a former clerk of Justice Anthony Kennedy. If this sounds familiar, the most recent...
Ninth Circuit Rules that Gun Transfer Fee Does not Violate Second Amendment
On June 1, 2017, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Bauer v. Becerra, that a fee on firearms transfers to fund enforcement efforts against illegal firearm purchasers did not violate the Second Amendment. The California program, established in 2001, enforces...
Annual Book Sale this Coming Week at the Hughes Library
The Eastern Monroe Public Library is having its annual book sale beginning Saturday at the Hughes Branch on Route 611 in Stroud Township. The sale is coordinated by the “Friends” of the library, an enthusiastic group of volunteers that raise needed funds for the...
SCOTUS Rejects 9th Circuit’s “Provocation” Rule in 4th Amendment Excessive Force Cases
Justice AlitoOn Tuesday, May 30, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court set aside a multi-million dollar verdict in a California shooting case. LA police had burst into a shack without a search warrant and grievously shot two people. At issue in County of LA v. Mendez was the...
How Lawyers Work: Litigator Jerry Geiger on his mix of IOS devices, fountain pens and guitars
You can follow Jerry on Twitter and LinkedIn. What apps or tools are essential to your daily workflow? I find my iPhone 7 and iPad (3rd generation) indispensable in keeping up with all of the deadlines and projects that a busy litigation practice requires. I use an...
Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Reject Gun Rights for Those Convicted of Nonviolent Crimes
The Trump administration is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reject a 2nd Amendment claim that would restore the right to own a gun by two Pennsylvania men who were convicted more than 20 years ago of nonviolent crimes. The case is Sessions v. Binderup. Judge Gardner...
Warrantless Search of Student’s Unattended Bookbag Upheld in Ohio
School police did not violate 4th Amendment by Searching Student’s Bag The Ohio Supreme Court unanimously held on May 11, 2017 that a warrantless school search of a high school student’s unattended book bag was not an unreasonable search under the Fourth Amendment....
3rd Circuit Considers 1st Amendment Right to Film Police
“Copwatch” Case heard by 3rd Circuit The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals heard argument on May 9, 2017 on the question of whether there is a 1st Amendment right to film on-duty police officers. The case is Fields v. City of Philadelphia and a video of the argument can be...