Office of the Federal Public Defender
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News

Announcements and Law Updates

A comprehensive discussion of new Ninth Circuit cases, and of other new legal challenges and ideas, can be found on the Ninth Circuit blog. The Ninth Circuit blog contains Federal Defender Jon Sands' weekly Ninth Circuit summaries, interesting new defense challenges and theories posted by AFPDs David Porter and Steve Sady, and the “Case o’ The Week” memos by Federal Defender Steve Kalar. The Ninth Circuit blog is a useful starting place for the latest developments in federal criminal defense.

To search the Ninth Circuit blog use the white search box next to the orange "B," in the upper left hand corner of the site. Note that many blog entries have been tagged by Judge involved or by subject. Clicking on those tags will pull up all blog entries related to that tag entry.

CJA counsel are encouraged to comment on the blog postings – many new ideas have been fleshed out and enhanced by attorney commentary.

Judge Koh Rules Warrant Required for Historical Cell Data Search

U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh of the Northern District of California ruled that the Fourth Amendment applies to historical cell site information. As a result of this groundbreaking ruling--the first of its type in the nation--the government must obtain a search warrant to demand historical cell site information from cellphone carriers. Argued by Assistant Federal Public Defender Ellen Leonida, Judge Koh held that the location data generated by a phone automatically pinging cell towers (through continuously opperating apps and other involuntary communication) doesn't amount to a "voluntary conveyance" of information to cell phone companies.

For more, please find the ruling here.

Candis MitchellND Cal