More from this issue:

1. Understanding Fusion Centers, by Michael Thompson
2. LexisNexis Aids Customs and Border Patrol to Flaunt Fourth Amendment, by Anthony Accurso
3. Unconscious Bias: Facial Features Can Influence Life-or-Death Decisions in Verdicts, by Jo Ellen Nott
4. Lung Float Test: Junk Science Used to Convict Women of Murder, by David Reutter
5. Watchlisted: You’re Probably Already on a Government Extremism List, by John W. Whitehead, Nisha Whitehead
6. Studying Ant Bites on Cadavers May Advance Criminal Investigations, by Douglas Ankney
7. Illinois Supreme Court Announces § 9-1.2(d) Sets Range of Sentences for Intentional Homicide of Unborn Child but Does Not Convert Offense Into Murder for Life-Sentence Enhancement, by Douglas Ankney
8. Seventh Circuit Orders District Court to Hold Evidentiary Hearing Where Record Insufficient to Permit Review of State Prisoner’s Section 2254 Habeas Petition Alleging Ineffective Assistance of Counsel, by Douglas Ankney
9. Nebraska Supreme Court Announces Probation Search Unlawful When Conducted After Original Term Expired and Before Hearing on Extending Term, by Matthew Clarke
10. Pennsylvania Supreme Court: Failure to Disclosure Mental Health Report Showing Key Witness Was a Sociopath Constitutes Brady Violation That Prejudiced Defendant, by Anthony Accurso
11. Audit Finds LAPD’s Frivolous Use of Helicopters Flunks Cost/Benefit Analysis, by Douglas Ankney
12. The Supreme Court’s Forensic Follies, by Michael Thompson
13. Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Announces Correct Computation of Time for Purposes of Determining When Statute of Limitations Has Run for Returning Indictment, by Douglas Ankney
14. Research Paper Reveals Laypeople Have Insufficient Understanding of False Confessions by Examining Prior Research Based on Surveys and Mock Juries, by David Reutter
15. California Court of Appeal: Petitioner Has Constitutional Right to Be Present at Hearing to Determine Facts Surrounding Felony Murder Charges for Possible Resentencing Under § 1172.6, by David Reutter
16. Preliminary Analysis of Recidivism Data After Three Years Under First Step Act Is Promising but Inconclusive, by Jo Ellen Nott
17. Interactive Lineups Are a Promising New Tool to Improve Accuracy of Suspect Identification by Eyewitnesses, by Jo Ellen Nott
18. New York Court of Appeals Reverses Conviction Because Testifying Criminalist Not Shown to Have Requisite Involvement in DNA Testing Process and Provides Guidance to Avoid Future Sixth Amendment Confrontation Clause Violations, by Anthony Accurso
19. Fourth Circuit: Defendant Entitled to Discovery and Evidentiary Hearing on § 2255 Petition to Withdraw Guilty Plea Because It Was Not Knowingly and Voluntarily Made, by Richard Resch
20. First Circuit: Miranda Waiver Not Valid Where Interrogating Officer Answered ‘No’ to Defendant’s Question — ‘None of this can be used against me, can it?’, by Douglas Ankney
21. The Potential for Soil Dust Analysis in Forensics, by Anthony Accurso
22. Oregon Supreme Court Announces ‘Escape Clause’ of Postconviction Relief Statute’s SOL Applies to Severe Mental Impairments During Limitations Period, by David Reutter
23. California Court of Appeal Reverses Denial of Full Resentencing Under SB 483, by Matthew Clarke
24. ‘How The Government Created a Terrorist’: FBI-Manufactured Crimes Reveal Urgent Need for Reforms, by Douglas Ankney
25. Minnesota Supreme Court Holds Prosecutor’s Repeated Statements During Closing Arguments That Defendant ‘No Longer Has Presumption of Innocence’ Constitutes Plain Error, Requiring a New Trial, by David Reutter
26. Improvements to Decertification Procedure for Law Enforcement Officers Guilty of Excessive Force Urgently Needed, by Douglas Ankney
27. New York Court of Appeals Announces Traffic Stop of Bicyclist Is Seizure Under Both Fourth Amendment and State Constitution Requiring Reasonable Suspicion of Crime or Probable Cause of Traffic Violation, by Richard Resch
28. Foundations of Firearms Audio Forensics Built by Dr. Robert Maher Will Continue to Be Important Forensic Tool as More Recording Devices Are Present at Crime Scenes, by Jo Ellen Nott
29. Amazon Ring Curbs Police Access to Doorbell Camera Footage—But Privacy Concerns Remain, by Jo Ellen Nott
30. Suspicion of Government Surveillance Increasing, by Anthony Accurso
31. FBI Searches of NSA Data Extended Until April, Despite Admission of Unconstitutionality, by Anthony Accurso
32. Cops’ Sky-High Hopes, by Michael Thompson
33. DEA and Police Use Pretense of Consent Searches to Effectively Steal Cash From Airport Travelers, by Anthony Accurso
34. A Legal Argument Against Government Purchase of Location Data, by Anthony Accurso
35. North Carolina Supreme Court: Outstanding Warrant for Driver Who Fled Accident Scene Does Not Authorize Inventory Search of Disabled Vehicle, by Anthony Accurso
36. Cops Just Love Secret Metadata Collection, by Michael Thompson
37. News in Brief

More from Douglas Ankney:

• Judge Grants Attorney’s Motion to Withdrawal from Corizon Health Case Due to Non-Payment, Aug. 1, 2026
• Abuse is No Excuse: Oklahoma’s Judges Deny Sentencing Relief to Prisoners Who Were Raped and Physically Assaulted, Aug. 1, 2026
• Audit of Louisiana DOC Finds Fault with Prisoner Release Calculation System, Aug. 1, 2026
• California Appeals Court Sustains Amendments to CDCR that Narrow Youth Parole Eligibility Rules, July 1, 2026
• Eighth Circuit Revives § 1983 Complaint Alleging Jail Detainees’ Death from Stroke was Due to Deliberate Indifference and Failure to Train, July 1, 2026
• California Court of Appeal Announces Defendants Who Exercise Right to Jury Trial on Aggravating Circumstances Are Entitled to Closing Argument by Counsel on Those Factors, July 1, 2026
• SCOTUS Holds Federal Habeas Court May Not Consider Post-Trial DNA Evidence That Was Never Presented to Jury When Assessing Whether False Informant Testimony Influenced Verdict, July 1, 2026
• New Jersey Lawmakers Pass “Female Incarcerated Person’s Rights Protection Act”, July 1, 2026
• Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia Announces Six-Factor Test for Evaluating Presentence Motions to Withdraw Guilty Pleas Under Rule 32(e), Holds Binding Plea Agreement Does Not Extinguish Defendant’s Ability to Seek Withdrawal, July 1, 2026
• Louisiana’s Atavistic Approach to Criminal Sentencing and Parole Demonstrates Politicians’ Failure to Learn from Past Mistakes, July 1, 2026

More from these topics:

• In Wake of Murders of Prisoners by Guards, New York Passes Legislation to Enhance Safety, Accountability and Training, June 1, 2026. Guard Misconduct, Corrections Audits, Security Systems, State Legislation, Statutes of Limitation and Laches.
• Watchdog Finds Barely 1 in 10 Complaints Against California Prison Staff Handled Adequately, May 1, 2026. Guard Misconduct, DOC/BOP misconduct, Evidence, Staff Training, Statutes of Limitation and Laches.
• Fourth Circuit Clarifies Two-Year Statute of Limitations Governs All § 1983 Claims Arising in West Virginia, Regardless of Underlying Tort or Survivability, March 1, 2026. 42 U.S. Code § 1983, civil action for deprivation of rights, Monell Liability, False Arrrest/Malicious Prosecution, Statutes of Limitation and Laches.
• Securus Loses Bid to Dismiss HRDC Price-Fixing Suit, Nov. 1, 2025. Class Certification, RICO, Statutes of Limitation and Laches, HRDC Litigation, Global Tel*Link Corp.
• Wisconsin DOC Ordered to Provide Programming for Pregnant Prisoners—34 Years After Law Was Passed, Nov. 1, 2025. Gender Discrimination -- Women, Injunctions, Mothers in Prison, Statutes of Limitation and Laches, Compassionate Release.
• 150 People Sue Over Past Abuse at New York City Juvenile Facilities, Jan. 15, 2025. Staff-Prisoner Assault, Juvenile Offenses/Offenders, Statutes of Limitation and Laches.
• Fourth Circuit: Evidentiary Hearing Required Where Prisoner’s Allegation of Mental Illness, if True, Is Sufficient to Demonstrate ‘Extraordinary Circumstances’ Warranting Both Rule 60(b)(6) Relief and Tolling of Habeas SOL, Jan. 15, 2024. New Trial Motions, AEDPA, Mental Health, Statutes of Limitation and Laches, Tolling of Statutes of Limitations and Laches.
• Kokesh v. S.E.C., No. 16-529 (U.S. Supreme Court) (581 U.S. ___; 137 S.Ct. 1635) (June 5, 2017) (Justice Sotomayor), June 26, 2017. Punch And Jurists, Statutes of Limitation and Laches.