Police lineups have long been used to identify suspects in Iowa criminal investigations. However, in recent years, there has been growing concern over the reliability of eyewitness identification and the potential for police lineups to result in wrongful convictions....
Illegal Search And Seizure
Protect yourself from illegal searches and seizures in Iowa
Knowing when law enforcement can legally search and test you is important to protect yourself. If you give consent, then this usually means that the evidence will hold up in court. The fourth amendment of the US Constitution is what guarantees your right to...
Supreme Court: It’s reasonable to assume a driver is car’s owner
The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution prohibits "unreasonable" searches and seizures by the government, including police officers. A search or seizure can be anything from a momentary stop to a full search and arrest. Over the years, courts have...
Can the police test shed skin cells for DNA evidence?
Human beings leave behind DNA wherever we go. We shed skin. We sneeze out DNA-containing droplets. We shed hairs. We can't avoid it.Now, DNA testing has reached the point where the police could start testing this unavoidably-shed DNA and using it in criminal cases....
Law enforcement increasingly using ‘reverse search warrants’
Traditionally, search warrants only went one direction. A crime was committed or suspected, and the police would investigate. Witnesses would be contacted. A theory would be developed. When the police had probable cause to search for evidence, they got a search...
Is it illegal for campus police to search your dorm room?
Going off to college is often a time for young adults to step outside of their regular routine. This typically involves moving away from your parents and living on your own or with a roommate. Living by yourself for the first time can bring up a lot of questions. You...
At border and airports, agents need suspicion to search devices
If you have been annoyed at having your smartphone searched at the airport, you'll be interested to hear this. It turns out that agents need reasonable suspicion that you're involved in something illegal before they can perform such a search.Agents from ICE and the...
When can the police search through your cellphone?
As many people know, the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects you and your property against unreasonable searches and seizures by the police. However, not many people know how this nearly 200-year-old amendment protects their modern smartphones....
Can DEA agents search people on Amtrak?
The next time you ride Amtrak, you may encounter an agent from the Drug Enforcement Administration asking you to allow a search of your belongings. Don't consent -- especially if you have something to hide.The mere fact that an officer has requested a search you may...
What happens if I get arrested at the Iowa State Fair?
Well over 1 million excited people cross through the gates of the Iowa State Fair every August. It's a time to celebrate the state's culture, get some delicious food and drink and check out the variety of entertainment.Of course, all the crowds can invite extra...
