Consent Gets You In—Probable Cause Lets You Open the Box: Lessons from U.S. v. Ponce
United States v. Ponce No. 24-40632 (5th Cir. Mar. 9, 2026) TL;DR Holding: Border Patrol lawfully searched a vehicle at a checkpoint where initial consent allowed a visual inspection, and observations during that look created probable cause to search a container (speaker box). Why it matters: Even limited consent (just a “look”) can escalate into a full vehicle search if officers develop probable cause based on what they see. Limit: Consent scope still matters—but once
4 min read
Acute Behavioral Emergencies: What Every Officer Needs to Know in 2026
Law enforcement officers across the country are increasingly encountering individuals in severe behavioral crises. What was once commonly labeled “excited delirium” has evolved into a broader and more medically grounded understanding now referred to as Acute Behavioral Emergency (ABE) . The terminology has changed—but more importantly, so has the science, the legal landscape, and the expectations placed on officers. If your agency has not recently updated its policy or traini
5 min read
Stash House Search Warrant Lessons: Making the Firearm Charge Stick
United States v. Jones Citation: United States v. Jones, No. 24-4282, ___ F.4th ___ (4th Cir. Feb. 4, 2026) TL;DR The Fourth Circuit affirmed Lawrence Jones’s firearm convictions, holding that sufficient circumstantial evidence supported a finding of constructive possession of firearms discovered inside a drug stash house. Even without fingerprints, eyewitness testimony, or exclusive control of the premises, the totality of the evidence allowed the jury to reasonably conclud
4 min read