The United States Supreme Court this morning in the case of Case v. Montana (No. 24-624) reaffirmed the “community caretaker” exception to the requirement of a warrant under the Fourth Amendment for entry into a home.  Justice Jackson wrote for the majority.

The Ninth Circuit just issued an Opinion in  Baird v. Bonta , No. 24-565 (January 2, 2026) (“ Baird ”) which took an expansive view of the United States Supreme Court decision in  New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen , 597 U.S. 1 (2022) (“ Bruen ”).  Basically,  Baird  found California’s Open Carry law unconstitutional on its face as it related to counties with populations of 200,000 or more.  (It denied an “as applied” challenge to the application of the law to count

At September’s Stepping Up meeting, the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office, Behavioral Wellness, and other community stakeholders gathered to discuss ongoing challenges in addressing the mental health needs of jail inmates and the community at large.

A state’s method of execution is typically challenged under the Eighth Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.  These...

An excellent law review article was just published on “consent” in criminal law: Kate Weisburd, “Criminal Procedure Without Consent,” 113 Cal.L.Rev. 697 (2025). The author would severely limit (if not eliminate) consent in criminal investigations, law and procedure. Her thesis is based on the disparity in bargaining positions (between the individual – particularly those of color – and the police, prosecutors and courts) and the lack of real benefit to the person giving co

On April 4, 2025,  Munger Tolles & Olsen  filed an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit brought on behalf of the law firm  Perkins Coie...

 With all of the publicity regarding the U.S. Supreme Court decisions coming out at the end of the Term, Goldey v. Fields (No. 24–809, decided June 30, 2025) decided this morning (Monday) may have been missed.  That is because it was decided on the Shadow Docket.  It was resolve in an unsigned per curiam decision without a written dissent. 

The United States Supreme Court continues to offload its more “routine” cases with new opinions. In NRC v. Texas , two days ago, the...

The United States Supreme Court delivered six opinions this morning which are remarkable as a group.  Four of the six were unanimous;...