9 court opinions authored by Judge Karen M Fortin. AI-powered plain English summaries, key holdings, and legal analysis.
9 opinions analyzed.
Sixth Circuit: Informant's Tip Justified Traffic Stop for Drugs
United States v. Deldrick Lamar Spence, decided by Sixth Circuit on February 18, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of Deldrick Lamar Spe...
Sixth Circuit: Cell phone search incident to arrest is constitutional
United States v. Omar Thomas Wala, decided by Sixth Circuit on February 4, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of Omar Thomas Wala's motio...
Sixth Circuit: Consent to Search Phone Was Voluntary Despite Arrest
United States v. Kelly Richards, decided by Sixth Circuit on January 9, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a motion to suppress eviden...
Nervousness and location justify extended traffic stop, court rules
United States v. Joe'Veon Penson Willis, decided by Sixth Circuit on December 18, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of the defendant's m...
Sixth Circuit: Probable cause justified vehicle search despite marijuana legalization
United States v. Markel Livingston, decided by Sixth Circuit on October 17, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of Markel Livingston's mot...
Sixth Circuit: Cell phone search incident to lawful arrest is constitutional
United States v. Jaquan Bridges, decided by Sixth Circuit on August 7, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of Jaquan Bridges' motion to su...
Sixth Circuit: Odor of Marijuana, Furtive Movements, and Plain View Justify Vehicle Search
United States v. Rodney Hamilton Higgins, Jr., decided by Sixth Circuit on June 27, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of Rodney Hamilton...
Sixth Circuit Upholds Vehicle Search Based on Corroborated Informant Tip
United States v. Edwin Santiago, decided by Sixth Circuit on June 6, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of Edwin Santiago's motion to sup...
Cell phone search incident to arrest in vehicle upheld
United States v. Jeremy Mooney, decided by Sixth Circuit on April 25, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of Jeremy Mooney's motion to sup...