No. 25-1355October Term 2025Before Arguments
City of North Las Vegas, Nevada, et al., Petitioners v. Genoa Jones, et al.
from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Case status
- Current stage
- Before Arguments
- Latest event
- Accepted by the Court
- Decision timing
- No window until argument is scheduled.
- What it's about
from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Question presented
1. Whether the officers’ warrantless search of a backyard in close proximity to the domestic violence victim’s residence was a lawful “hot pursuit” when the suspect’s trail was temporarily lost within the perimeter for approximately eighteen minutes but recovered through immediate and continuous police efforts. 2. Whether, even if the search did not qualify as a “hot pursuit,” the officers were entitled to qualified immunity because no “clearly established law” was violated. 3. Whether, in the interest of avoiding the perpetual flood of federal court qualified immunity litigation, the Court should decide that “clearly established law” means only the decisions of the Court, and not lower court decisions, which fail to provide police departments with meaningful guidance because they are highly fact-determinative and subject to numerous differing and often contradictory judicial interpretations.
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit / Accepted by the Court
- Area
Supreme Court case awaiting argument
Timing
Expected by late June 2026, if argued this term
The Court granted review but has not yet scheduled oral argument. Once argued, the median case reaches a decision in 94 days. Nearly all cases are decided by the end of the term in which they are argued.
Briefing
What it's about
North Las Vegas is asking the Supreme Court to review a Ninth Circuit case over officers who entered a nearby backyard without a warrant after a suspect fled a domestic violence call, the trail was lost for about 18 minutes, and a police dog later picked it up. The city says the search was part of hot pursuit (an urgent chase of a fleeing suspect) and that the officers should be protected by qualified immunity (a rule that can block damages suits against officers).
Argument
This is still at the petition stage, and no oral argument has been scheduled. The city argues the entry was part of an urgent chase of a fleeing suspect and, even if not, the officers should still receive qualified immunity.
Impact
The case could shape how far police can go when searching nearby property during a fast-moving emergency, especially in domestic violence cases. It also could affect when residents can sue officers for damages after a warrantless search.
What is at stake in City of North Las Vegas v. Jones?
It asks whether officers could lawfully enter a nearby backyard without a warrant while searching for a fleeing domestic violence suspect. It also asks whether the officers should be shielded from damages suits.
Who could be affected if the Court takes this case?
Police departments and officers could get more guidance on emergency searches near a crime scene. Homeowners and other residents could see changes in civil-rights lawsuits over warrantless entries.
What happens next in City of North Las Vegas v. Jones?
The justices will decide whether to grant review. No oral argument is scheduled yet, and there is no decision window.
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary materials plus reporting.
- Note
- Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 17, 2026
- Method
- Methodology