Supreme Court Shows Its Spirit for Students’ First Amendment Rights — Here’s What That Means for Public Employees
In a recent case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a disgruntled high school cheerleader who was suspended for complaining about not making the varsity squad. You might think that has little bearing on law enforcement, but it demonstrates how an individual’s First Amendment free speech protections are weighed against their school or employer’s interest in preventing substantial disruption. In this article, Mastagni Holstedt, APC, explains the legal principles involved and how they apply to public employees.
California Attorney General Releases Guidelines for Officer-Involved Shooting Investigations
The California attorney general’s office recently announced guidelines and protocols for the implementation of AB 1506, a new law that requires the state’s DOJ to investigate all officer-involved shootings resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian. The guidelines have raised a number of concerns among law enforcement, such as the likelihood that they’ll lead to violating officers’ constitutional rights. In this article, Mastagni Holstedt, APC, discusses AB 1506 and outlines some of the most concerning issues for law enforcement.