Latest news with #EricRosen
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Kansas Supreme Court splits on constitutionality of drug-dog search at Wichita traffic stop
Kansas Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall, second from left back row, wrote the majority opinion in a case questioning constitutionality of admitting evidence found by Wichita police after deploying a drug-sniffing dog. Justice Eric Rosen, from row left, wrote the dissenting opinion in the case raising questions about Fourth Amendment rights in searches and seizures. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Supreme Court photograph) TOPEKA — Wichita police officers Donald Bailey and Shawn Isham were watching a suspected drug house in 2020 when Gina Wilson parked a vehicle in the driveway, entered the residence, reappeared a few minutes later and drove away. The officers followed Wilson before pulling her over on Greenfield Street, allegedly for twice failing to properly use a turn signal. Wilson denied committing the traffic infractions, but informed officers she didn't have a valid driver's license. What happened next as Wilson stood on the curb with police officers was closely examined by the Sedgwick County District Court, Kansas Court of Appeals and Kansas Supreme Court. In the end, Wilson lost her bid to exclude evidence of a drug offense and the state's highest court exposed a disagreement regarding constitutional rights of individuals subjected to searches and seizures by law enforcement. On Friday, the Supreme Court's majority opinion from Justice Caleb Stegall affirmed the officers' compliance with the Fourth Amendment in terms of constitutionally conducting the traffic stop and deploying Oden, a drug-sniffing dog, to examine the exterior of Wilson's vehicle. Wilson had refused to consent to a search of her vehicle. However, the canine alerted to presence of illicit drugs. A subsequent examination of the car's interior by Wichita officers led to discovery of a packet of oxycodone pills. Stegall concluded that because Wilson had no legal ability to drive the car away at conclusion of the traffic-related portion of the stop, officers didn't overstep their authority by nominally extending the encounter to allow for the dog sniff. Four minutes elapsed between when the officers completed her traffic citation and the time Oden alerted to presence of drugs. 'Even though she was not under arrest, Wilson argues that because she was not free to leave during these four minutes, she was unconstitutionally seized as an extension of the traffic stop,' Stegall said in the opinion. 'As such, she concludes that the search of the car was also unconstitutional and therefore the evidence gained from the unconstitutional search must be excluded.' Stegall's majority opinion argued Wilson's suspended license created an unusual circumstance enabling officers to deploy the K-9 around her legally parked car that no one was attempting to move. 'Oden's alert provided probable cause, which allowed the officers to perform a warrantless search of the car … and the pills were properly admitted into evidence,' Stegall's opinion said. 'Therefore, officers do not run afoul of the Fourth Amendment's protections by performing a dog sniff of any vehicle that is legally parked in public.' The dissent by Justice Eric Rosen, which was joined by Chief Justice Marla Luckert and Justice Melissa Standridge, said the drug evidence should have been suppressed because prolonging a traffic stop to complete the drug sniff without reasonable suspicion violated the Fourth Amendment. Rosen held the Wichita officers seized Wilson and the vehicle, extended the traffic stop, deployed Oden and discovered an envelope containing 30 oxycodone capsules in the car's console. Rosen expressed frustration the majority opinion 'pronounces some new legal rules for which it provides no supporting authority.' He challenged the majority's declaration that a vehicle directed to the side of the road during a traffic stop shouldn't be characterized as seized by law enforcement. 'The majority likens this car to any car that was voluntarily parked in a public place,' Rosen wrote. 'From here, the majority announces that officers can perform a dog sniff on any car legally parked in public.' In 2022, Wilson was convicted of driving while suspended and illegal possession of opiates. She unsuccessfully argued in district court for suppression of drug evidence while alleging the officers impermissibly extended scope of the traffic stop to create a window for deployment of the K-9 unit. The Court of Appeals sided with the district court in 2023 after concluding there was 'no evidence that the dog sniff meaningfully extended the duration of the original stop.' The divided Supreme Court affirmed Wilson's constitutional rights weren't violated.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Kansas Supreme Court splits on constitutionality of drug-dog search at Wichita traffic stop
Kansas Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall, second from left back row, wrote the majority opinion in a case questioning constitutionality of admitting evidence found by Wichita police after deploying a drug-sniffing dog. Justice Eric Rosen, from row left, wrote the dissenting opinion in the case raising questions about Fourth Amendment rights in searches and seizures. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Supreme Court photograph) TOPEKA — Wichita police officers Donald Bailey and Shawn Isham were watching a suspected drug house in 2020 when Gina Wilson parked a vehicle in the driveway, entered the residence, reappeared a few minutes later and drove away. The officers followed Wilson before pulling her over on Greenfield Street, allegedly for twice failing to properly use a turn signal. Wilson denied committing the traffic infractions, but informed officers she didn't have a valid driver's license. What happened next as Wilson stood on the curb with police officers was closely examined by the Sedgwick County District Court, Kansas Court of Appeals and Kansas Supreme Court. In the end, Wilson lost her bid to exclude evidence of a drug offense and the state's highest court exposed a disagreement regarding constitutional rights of individuals subjected to searches and seizures by law enforcement. On Friday, the Supreme Court's majority opinion from Justice Caleb Stegall affirmed the officers' compliance with the Fourth Amendment in terms of constitutionally conducting the traffic stop and deploying Oden, a drug-sniffing dog, to examine the exterior of Wilson's vehicle. Wilson had refused to consent to a search of her vehicle. However, the canine alerted to presence of illicit drugs. A subsequent examination of the car's interior by Wichita officers led to discovery of a packet of oxycodone pills. Stegall concluded that because Wilson had no legal ability to drive the car away at conclusion of the traffic-related portion of the stop, officers didn't overstep their authority by nominally extending the encounter to allow for the dog sniff. Four minutes elapsed between when the officers completed her traffic citation and the time Oden alerted to presence of drugs. 'Even though she was not under arrest, Wilson argues that because she was not free to leave during these four minutes, she was unconstitutionally seized as an extension of the traffic stop,' Stegall said in the opinion. 'As such, she concludes that the search of the car was also unconstitutional and therefore the evidence gained from the unconstitutional search must be excluded.' Stegall's majority opinion argued Wilson's suspended license created an unusual circumstance enabling officers to deploy the K-9 around her legally parked car that no one was attempting to move. 'Oden's alert provided probable cause, which allowed the officers to perform a warrantless search of the car … and the pills were properly admitted into evidence,' Stegall's opinion said. 'Therefore, officers do not run afoul of the Fourth Amendment's protections by performing a dog sniff of any vehicle that is legally parked in public.' The dissent by Justice Eric Rosen, which was joined by Chief Justice Marla Luckert and Justice Melissa Standridge, said the drug evidence should have been suppressed because prolonging a traffic stop to complete the drug sniff without reasonable suspicion violated the Fourth Amendment. Rosen held the Wichita officers seized Wilson and the vehicle, extended the traffic stop, deployed Oden and discovered an envelope containing 30 oxycodone capsules in the car's console. Rosen expressed frustration the majority opinion 'pronounces some new legal rules for which it provides no supporting authority.' He challenged the majority's declaration that a vehicle directed to the side of the road during a traffic stop shouldn't be characterized as seized by law enforcement. 'The majority likens this car to any car that was voluntarily parked in a public place,' Rosen wrote. 'From here, the majority announces that officers can perform a dog sniff on any car legally parked in public.' In 2022, Wilson was convicted of driving while suspended and illegal possession of opiates. She unsuccessfully argued in district court for suppression of drug evidence while alleging the officers impermissibly extended scope of the traffic stop to create a window for deployment of the K-9 unit. The Court of Appeals sided with the district court in 2023 after concluding there was 'no evidence that the dog sniff meaningfully extended the duration of the original stop.' The divided Supreme Court affirmed Wilson's constitutional rights weren't violated.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Solo fliers are getting hit with higher fares — here's how airlines are getting away with it
In a time when businesses want to tack on hidden fees for almost anything — it shouldn't come as a surprise that airlines are suddenly being greedy with how they're charging solo flyers. Reportedly, Delta is one of a few airlines that are now charging extra for single flight tickets. According to View From The Wing, technically some of the airlines disclose in their fare fules that if a customer purchases an individual ticket — even if it's one of their cheapest fare options — that they'll be charged more unless they have someone accompanying them on the flight. 3 Reportedly, Delta is one of a few airlines that are now charging extra for single flight tickets. miglagoa – The team at Thrifty Traveler did some digging and pointed out that this price hike for solo tickets isn't for every airlines' flight route and it's unclear how long this increased fare will go on for. And it seems that Delta isn't the only airline being greedy. United and American airlines are supposedly also taking this approach with price gouging. Thrifty Traveler found that a single one-way standard economy United ticket traveling from Chicago-O'Hare to Peoria costs $269. But if you tack on a few more people to the reservation, that almost $300 ticket fare drops to less than $200 per person. 3 The airlines aren't even being sneaky with their price gouging tactics. Getty Images United isn't trying to be sneaky about it either — it's written in the fare fules for this ticket: 'Must be accompanied on all sectors in same compartment by at least 1 adult 15 or older.' It's easy for solo passengers to not even realize this price difference — so their best bet, if they're able to, is to shop around different airlines to get the best bang for their buck. 3 Those looking to travel solo should shop around for the best airfare prices. Goffkein – The good news is that overall, flight prices for summer travel are down 7% year-over-year, according to Eric Rosen, the director of travel content at The Points Guy and a Kayak report. 'It's quite significant for prices to drop that much,' he told The Post. And international airfare is seeing an even greater price decrease, with flight tickets to hot spots like Sydney, Hong Kong and Berlin — down by 23%, 16% and 13%. While you're looking for the best prices on airfare, also take a peek at off-the-beaten-path routes that airlines are adding to their network. 'United is putting a Greenland — which is in Denmark — flight into service on June 14, which could be interesting for folks who want to take an adventure-type trip,' Rosen suggested.
New York Post
6 days ago
- New York Post
The Points Guy expert tips, lowest prices for summer travel
Summer is usually the time of year when people are gearing up to book their flights, pack their bags and set their OOO email replies — leading to crazed airports and sky-high travel prices. Contrary to what most people would think, according to Eric Rosen, the director of travel content at The Points Guy and a Kayak report, flight prices for summer travel are down 7% year-over-year. 'It's quite significant for prices to drop that much,' he told The Post. So, if you've been looking for a sign to dust off your suitcase and scrounge around for your passport this summer — let these money-saving travel hacks be it. Go international 8 Lucky for international jetsetters — flight prices to hot spot places like Sydney and Milan are down right now. Shutter2U – Rosen said international airfare is seeing an even greater price decrease, with flight tickets to long-haul hot spots like Sydney, Hong Kong and Berlin — down by 23%, 16% and 13%. And if you've been daydreaming of a romantic European vacation, run, don't walk to book it because airfare prices to destinations like Stockholm and Milan are currently down close to a whopping 20%, Rosen shared. Go Fourth 8 Summer holiday weekends usually lead to busy airports — but this year, people are a bit hesitant to hop on a flight to go somewhere. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post While the hot season has people excited about travel — it's expectedly always worse during July 4th and Labor Day weekends, as those dates are usually a pricey, in-demand time to book a trip. And that might still be the case this year — but to a certain extent. Rosen said he and his team are seeing a 'softening of demand' in travel for these dates due to confusion and fear evoked by President Trump's tariffs, the new Real ID rules — and of course some of the chaos going on at airports — looking at you, Newark. Save your coin 8 It's important to keep in mind that even if you didn't get your Real ID yet — you can use your passport in lieu of it. Jenna Hidinger Photo – Luckily, there are a few ways sightseers can take advantage of this hesitation among American travelers. Regarding the tariffs, if travelers are planning to vacation outside the country this summer, Rosen said they should try to prepay for hotel accommodations or transportation in a foreign currency. 'Especially a strong one like a euro, the British pound or New Zealand dollar — you want to lock that in now because we're not sure what will happen with price fluctuations due to currency shifts,' he advised. To do this, you first need to exchange your currency into the foreign one, then make a payment through a bank transfer or online payment platform, like PayPal. And with the recent Real ID rules, keep in mind you can use a valid passport in lieu of it for travel, but if you choose this route, Rosen said to make sure you allow yourself extra time at the airport, 'in case TSA asks you questions' — which is a possibility. Find a hidden gem 8 Soon, people will be able to hop on a United Airlines flight from the US to Greenland. Cavan – Another way to save some dough on summer travel this year is to think outside the box and explore hidden gem vacation spots. Rosen told The Post that travelers can do this by searching for off-the-beaten-path routes that airlines are adding to their network — and in turn skipping the hefty travel prices and elbow-to-elbow crowds of annoying tourists. Rosen said on June 7, United Airlines is launching routes to Madeira — a stunning autonomous region of Portugal, which, according to him, is dubbed the Hawaii of Europe. This under-the-radar spot will give travelers 'that European feel' with a short flight. 'United is also putting a Greenland — which is in Denmark — flight into service on June 14, which could be interesting for folks who want to take an adventure-type trip,' Rosen suggested. Explore America 8 If travelers can handle the heat, Rosen suggests checking out Tucson, Arizona, because it has a lot going on there in the summer. jdross75 – If you don't want to be bothered with flying, considering that gas prices are also easing up, and prefer to have a summer staycation, Rosen said to check out 'some wonderful places in your backyard you might not have considered that's within driving distance.' For some inspiration, Rosen recommended Tucson, Arizona, if you can handle the summer heat — because it has 'a lot of food festivals happening this summer.' 'Indianapolis, Indiana, interestingly enough, has a ton going on right now. They just opened the Intercontinental Hotel there, which is their first luxury hotel in nearly two decades. Buffalo, NY, also has a ton going on [this summer] in terms of festivals and new restaurant openings,' Rosen explained. Consider a staycation 8 Staying local during the summer can score you otherwise hard-to-get restaurant reservations. Adobe Stock And if your idea of a staycation is staying local, especially if you live in a major city, according to Rosen, there are most likely a ton of great hotel deals in your surrounding area. 'Rates are lower — probably a fraction of the price you would normally be paying — because people are leaving the city,' he told The Post. 'Reservations would probably be available at their [hotel's] fabulous restaurants, you probably can't get into otherwise and there will most likely be room at the pools and spas.' Keep an eye on your bookings 8 Keeping an eye on the price of your reservations will allow you to save money in the long run. REDPIXEL – Whether you're galivanting off on a faraway vacation, taking a road trip or staying local, if you really want to nickel and dime your summer travel and time is on your side, try to 'garden your reservations.' 'We always tell people to garden their reservations — which is to make a reminder to check in once a week or so on your flight or hotel reservation,' Rosen said. 'If that airfare drops between the time you book it and the time you fly, you can cancel it (depending on which type of ticket you have), rebook and save some of that money as a credit towards a future reservation,' he explained. 'And same with hotels. You might book something several weeks out that costs $600, and you find that the price drops to $400. If you've booked a refundable reservation, save yourself that money and book a new reservation.' The magic booking day? Not quite 8 It turns out there isn't a 'magic day' to book travel to save a buck. Sergei Fedulov – Speaking of saving money on reservations, not to burst anyone's travel bubble, but Rosen said there is no such thing as booking a trip on a certain day of the week to spare your wallet. 'Airlines and hotels have very sophisticated algorithms determining those prices,' he said. 'You're not going to game the system by waiting until 12:01 a.m. on a Tuesday to purchase your ticket.'
