WICHITA – …So-called drug check lanes have been through the courts and KSN Legal Expert Dan Monnat says drug check lanes are a legal gray area, at best. “Any citizen can be pulled over by a law enforcement officer for an actual petty traffic offense,” he says, but “no law enforcement officer has a right to fabricate a traffic offense that did not occur just to justify a seizure or search…”
HILLSBORO, Kan. — Parents are upset after learning a convicted sex offender worked in the same building as a daycare. The daycare is inside The Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church but the two entities are separate. Legal Analyst Dan Monnat says the legality of the sex offender’s presence near the daycare depends on how often he helped fix items at the daycare. If the visits were regular that would violate Kansas law, but if they were sporadic then they may not violate the law…
EL DORADO, Kan. – A transitional home for the homeless will not be built in El Dorado, after nearby property owners protested. KSN Legal Analyst Dan Monnat says, “Homeowners have rights with respect to their neighbors under existing zoning laws… but such laws can’t be used as instruments of discrimination…”
WELLINGTON, Kan. – A Wellington mother accused of brutally murdering her 10-year-old son, made an appearance in court Thursday regarding her competency, although a mental evaluation has yet to take place. KSN Legal Analyst Dan Monnat says, “Whenever competency proceedings are pending, [speedy trial]… time is suspended …while the person is evaluated and competency is determined.”
WICHITA – There’s a new push by Kansas college students to flag students kicked out of school for things like sexual assault. Defense Attorney Dan Monnat applauds the efforts, but says the better way to flag criminals is for universities to be pro-active in seeking criminal charges against suspects…
WICHITA, Kan. — Dallas Cowboys running back and Wichita native Joseph Randle was arrested in Wichita earlier this week, police said. Attorney Dan Monnat tells KAKE TV that because Randle is an NFL star it’s easy for the public to make assumptions about the allegations, but it’s important that, “…when an NFL player is involved, that we or the public, not leap to any conclusion not justified…”
WICHITA – KSN is asking questions about the quick investigation that led police to an alleged murder suspect after receiving reports that cell phone technology helped Wichita Police. Legal Analyst Dan Monnat tells KSN News, “Fourth amendment reasonableness is always a balancing act between the citizen’s right to privacy and the community or law enforcement’s need for the information….”
Kansas Supreme Court changes way DUIs investigated
Terry Loewen’s intent to pursue an entrapment defense received a setback when a federal judge refused to order the government to disclose whether mass surveillance led to Loewen’s arrest. “The fine line between ‘entrapment’ and the commission of a crime is, ‘whose idea was it?’” asks KSN Legal Analyst Dan Monnat. “Was the idea created by the government…”
WICHITA — After a sexual assault victim was found in Fairmount Park, evidence entered into the Sedgwick County Forensic Science Center showed a preliminary DNA match for the suspect. Dan Monnat tells KSN News: “If another crime comes up that they’re investigating, and you have not expunged your DNA, the DNA is on file to be used…”
