When Being Around a Gun Isn’t a Crime: The Limits of Constructive Possession in Louisiana
State v. Gerald Manchip White, 2024-K-01588 (La. Dec. 11, 2025) Holding: The Louisiana Supreme Court reversed all convictions against a felon accused of possessing firearms found in a family home. The State failed to prove he exercised dominion and control over the guns or had the intent to possess them. Mere presence, awareness, or living in a home where others lawfully keep guns is not enough for a criminal conviction. Importance: Officers frequently encounter multi-occ
5 min read
When Suspicion Isn’t Enough — and When It Is: A Training Comparison of State v. Matt (Montana) and Moody v. State (Mississippi)
Police officers routinely face one of the hardest judgment calls in criminal enforcement: Does what I’m seeing amount to mere suspicion, or does it rise to probable cause or proof of possession? Two recent appellate decisions — State v. Matt (Montana 2025) and Moody v. State (Mississippi 2025) — offer a powerful, real-world contrast that every patrol officer, interdiction unit, and investigator can learn from. One conviction was reversed because the evidence never crossed
4 min read
When “Trusted” Informants Sink a Warrant: What United States v. Felton Teaches Officers About Affidavits, Omissions, and GPS Trackers
In law enforcement, we rely heavily on confidential informants. Many times, they’re the difference between having a good hunch and having actual probable cause. But the Seventh Circuit’s decision in United States v. Felton (2025) gives us an important reminder: if your warrant affidavit leans on an informant, you must tell the judge the whole story — not just the parts that help you. This case walks through what happens when officers omit key credibility details , fail to co
4 min read