⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

The Ninth Circuit considers whether Adams County officers Saul Chavez and Juan Garcia are entitled to qualified immunity after securing Chauna and Andrew Carlson's home and taking Chauna Carlson's phone without a warrant during a domestic-violence investigation. The district court denied immunity. The officers say possible destruction of evidence created an exigency and, at minimum, no closely similar precedent clearly barred their actions. The Carlsons say there was no emergency and the officers should have sought a warrant before securing the home or phone.

Carlson, et al. v. Chavez, et al. (No. 25-3038) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, argued July 9, 2026.