No. 23-5428

Hector Gastelum Valenzuela v. United States

Lower Court: Fifth Circuit
Docketed: 2023-08-24
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP Experienced Counsel
Tags: 4th-amendment exigent-circumstances fourth-amendment law-enforcement motel-room motel-search probable-cause protective-sweep search-and-seizure warrantless-search
Latest Conference: 2023-10-06
Question Presented (from Petition)

Whether the mere presence of a person in a motel room—that officers believe contains drugs and a gun—creates exigent circumstances sufficient to justify a protective sweep.

Whether officers create or manufacture an exigency when they learn that someone occupies a motel room by attempting to enter and then knocking and demanding entry at one in the morning.

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the mere presence of a person in a motel room—that officers believe contains drugs and a gun—creates exigent circumstances sufficient to justify a protective sweep

Docket Entries

2023-10-10
Petition DENIED.
2023-09-14
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 10/6/2023.
2023-09-07
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2023-08-21
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due September 25, 2023)

Attorneys

Hector Valenzuela
Shane O'NealO'Neal Law, Petitioner
United States
Elizabeth B. PrelogarSolicitor General, Respondent