In this video, we break down United States v. Ruiz, a brand new Ninth Circuit opinion from January 2026. Alex Ruiz was convicted of transporting illegal aliens in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1324 — but the way he got caught and convicted is what makes this case fascinating.

🚔 THE TECH: Border Patrol agents driving unmarked vehicles ran a real-time records check that pulled the car's travel history, checkpoint records, and registration data — all in minutes, from the front seat of a moving car. We break down exactly what that technology can see and why it matters.

📱 THE EVIDENCE: A WhatsApp group chat with live GPS coordinates helped place Ruiz at the scene. His co-defendant — who pleaded guilty the week before trial — took the stand and testified against him. And body-worn camera footage captured everything.

⚖️ THE LEGAL ISSUE: The government introduced Ruiz's prior conviction for the same crime under Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b). Was that legal? The Ninth Circuit said yes — and we walk you through the four-part test courts use to decide when a prior bad act can come in at trial.

If you are someone who loves true crime and courtroom drama, this case has it all — cutting-edge surveillance tech, a dramatic highway chase, a spike strip dodge, and a legal ruling that will shape 404(b) cases for years to come.

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Hashtags:
#BorderPatrol #Immigration #CriminalLaw #404b #NinthCircuit #LawTube #Lawstache #TrueCrime #CourtCase #EvidenceLaw #ConstitutionalLaw #LegalAnalysis #ImigrationLaw #FederalCourt #KnowYourRights

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Federal probation officers showed up at Deanna Coleman's door while she was in her bathrobe. She asked them if they needed a warrant. They said no — and walked in anyway. What they found behind her bathroom mirror changed everything. But a federal appeals court just ruled the entire search was unconstitutional.

In this video I break down the brand new Fourth Circuit case United States v. Perez (2026) — decided February 23rd, 2026 — and explain exactly what it means for YOUR Fourth Amendment rights.

What we cover in this video:
What happened at Teal Drive, and why the search was illegal
Why owning a property doesn't give police the right to search it
The difference between reasonable suspicion and probable cause
Why tenants have stronger Fourth Amendment rights than most people realize
What you should do if the police show up at YOUR door


🚨 WERE YOU OR A LOVED ONE ARRESTED? CALL MY OFFICE NOW.
If police searched your home — with or without a warrant — you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side immediately. Evidence obtained through an illegal search can be thrown out entirely, just like in this case.

The consultation is free. The call could change everything.

United States v. Perez, No. 23-7280, 2026 WL 492012 (4th Cir. Feb. 23, 2026)

Anton Vialtsin, Esq.
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(619) 357-6677

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California appeals court just REVERSED a murder conviction because police went too far with an undercover interrogation. In People v. Zapata (2026), the court ruled that once a suspect invokes their right to a lawyer, police can't use undercover agents and coercive tactics to get around Miranda rights.

What happened: Jason Zapata was placed in a cell with undercover cops posing as inmates (a "Perkins operation"). After he asked for a lawyer, a deputy used a fake lineup and psychological pressure to trick him into confessing to murder. The confession got him convicted—but the Court of Appeal threw it out.

Key legal issues covered:
✅ Miranda v. Arizona - Your right to remain silent
✅ Edwards v. Arizona - Invoking your right to counsel
✅ Illinois v. Perkins - Undercover police operations
✅ Rhode Island v. Innis - What counts as "interrogation"
✅ When police tactics cross the constitutional line. This case creates a NEW LIMIT on Perkins operations: Known police officers can't actively "stimulate" undercover interrogations after a suspect invokes Miranda rights.

📚 CASE CITATION: People v. Zapata (2026) D084024, California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, https://www4.courts.ca.gov/opinions/documents/D084024.PDF

🔔 Subscribe to LAWSTACHE for more criminal law breakdowns, Supreme Court cases, and constitutional rights explained in plain English!

💬 What do you think? Did the court get it right? Drop your opinion in the comments!

#MirandaRights #CriminalLaw #TrueCrime #LawExplained #PerkinsOperation #ConstitutionalRights #LegalAnalysis #CourtCase #CriminalJustice

Anton Vialtsin, Esq.
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