Weeks v. United States (1914), was a Supreme Court petition appeal for which Weeks had been convicted. The Court solidly agreed that a warrantless confiscation of property from a personal place of residence constitutes a breach of the Fourth Amendment. The case led to prevention of evidence securing in the federal exclusion rule by police officers who later gave it to the federal officers
Silverthorne Lumber v. U.S. (1920). Here, the question was to allow or not to allow products of illegal evidence in court, which would allow police to dodge the Fourth Amendment. It was held that the evidence was not admissible in court as this would contradict the law.
Illinois v. Gates (1983). In this case, the Supreme Court overturned the ruling of the Illinois Circuit Court, which a search warrant can’t be issued based on the preconception of an unknown informant tip. The importance of this case is that two issues cropped up; the good faith of an informer and the availability of evidence both which complement each other.
U. S. v. Leon (1984) In this case, Alberto Leon was found guilty of drug dealing after a tip where police began investigations. This case to the inclusion of the good faith extension in the exclusion rule. The warrant was deemed invalid since the police did not have a clear cause for a warrant to be issued, although the evidence was upheld
Harris v. U.S. (1968). Petitioner William Joseph Harris was found guilty of drug trafficking and sentenced to 7 years, 2 years above the lawful sentence for brandishing a gun. Brandishing was a factor to be considered in sentencing and the judge took the elements, “during and in relation to drug trafficking crime”, of law 18 U.S.C. Section: 924 (c) (1) (A).
Work Cited
Hemmens, C.; Worrall, J. L.; Thompson, A. Criminal Justice Case Briefs: Significant Cases in Criminal Procedure. Los Angeles: Roxbury Publishing. 2004. Print.
