SEARCH WARRANTS

Course Description:

If you have worked in the law enforcement profession for more than a couple of weeks, you have likely heard the phrase “But that’s the way that we have always done it!!”  If you are currently working or if you have ever worked as a detective/investigator, you have also likely used a search warrant “template” that has been passed on from generation to generation of detectives going back to when computers were first introduced into our profession.  The first thing that you need to do if you are going to be successful in the field with your investigations and successful in the courtrooms when it comes to prosecuting cases in today’s times is to “THROW YOUR OLD SCHOOL THINKING OUT THE WINDOW!” 

The nature of how criminal investigations are conducted and prosecuted across the country has seen a major shift in the past decade.  There is a substantial amount of evidence that law enforcement officers can obtain to further their investigations if they simply know where to look and how to legally obtain it.   The ability to understand how to legally obtain and analyze the digital forensics, electronic service providers and the electronic devices of the suspects, witnesses and victims associated with your case will play a prominent role in the ultimate outcome of your investigation.  Obtaining this information so that it can be legally admitted into evidence will also dramatically increase the chances of the prosecutor overseeing your case to be successful in court. During the class, we will cover both the fundamentals of search warrants as well as obtaining data from electronic devices, extracting data from the cloud, cell sites, compelling access to an electronic device and how to avoid the pitfalls of evidence suppression. This course will also cover the fundamental legal requirements for search warrants, court orders, subpoenas and other “tools” commonly used by law enforcement officers when conducting investigations.  In addition to providing legal guidelines and discussing the common mistakes that lead to deficient search warrants, students will also participate in evaluating and investigating numerous real life case studies.  During these case studies, students will have the opportunity to be a lead detective/investigator and apply the knowledge that they have learned during the class such as what they would put into the “property sought section” of the search warrant based upon the facts of the case that they are investigating, etc.

This Lead Instructors for this extremely informative and interactive 16 hour training class are the Chief of the Cybercrime Unit at the Broward County State Attorney’s Office, Justin Griffis and Homicide Prosecutor for the Broward County State Attorney’s Office, Alixandra Buckelew.  They are both seasoned attorneys with extensive experience in prosecuting numerous homicide cases, sex crimes cases and other violent crimes.  In addition to these prosecutors, participants will also receive instruction from experienced homicide detectives.  Participants will be able to practically apply the information and strategies discussed during the class on real-life cases.  In short, participants will actually be able to learn from making decisions themselves on real cases instead of simply reading PowerPoint slides.  This training class is designed to benefit everybody from the first responding officers to the detectives/investigators and supervisors managing the case to the attorneys prosecuting the case.  Since the students who attend this class will be provided with the most current case law, information and technology available regarding conducting criminal investigations in today’s times, we encourage attendance from ALL law enforcement officers and any other personnel who participate in the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases.  Whether you work for a municipal police department, a county sheriff’s department or a state law enforcement agency, this class will be extremely beneficial to you and your decision-making skills when it comes to investigating cases in today’s times.  It is important that all parties, including the command staff, understand the “WHY” when certain decisions are made.  Lots of things have changed in our profession.  These changes include our investigative techniques, the law and how cases are presented to juries.

This class is extremely beneficial to all Assistant State/District Attorneys whose responsibilities include reviewing search warrants and other legal documents prior to them being reviewed and approved by a Circuit Court Judge.  During the class, we will discuss many of the reasons by using specific examples as to why search warrants may have been denied in the past.  We will also discuss cases wherein although a search warrant was reviewed and approved by a judge, serious issues were discovered during a motion to suppress hearing and during the appellate process.  After attending this class, you will have a much better understanding of the key things to look for when reviewing search warrants to avoid suppression and appellate issues.