Supreme Court Rules Warrant Needed by Police to Track Suspects Using GPS
The Supreme Court issued a very interesting ruling on January 23 regarding the use of GPS devices by law enforcement to track criminal suspects. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the government needs a search warrant from a judge before it tracks any suspect using high-tech monitoring devices.
The Supreme Court justices did not agree with the U.S. Justice Department’s view that the use of a GPS device was a reasonable means of tracking a motorist on a public highway. This ruling represents a significant complication for law enforcement across the country as they are increasingly reliant on high tech surveillance, such as different types of GPS technology, to track and monitor suspects.
The ruling stems from a case in which the Supreme Court ruled that by secretly installing a GPS device to a vehicle owned by a drug suspect, both the police and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) violated the suspect’s Fourth Amendment rights. A GPS device was installed on a nightclub owner’s Jeep in Washington, D.C., which ultimately helped law enforcement link him to a suburban house that was used to stash money and drugs. The court deemed that the secret installation of the GPS device was considered a “search,” and the Fourth Amendment is intended to protect U.S. residents against government searches of private property. Overall, Associate Justice Antonin Scalia concluded that the installation of the device on the vehicle without a warrant was a trespass and therefore is considered to be an illegal search.
It is crucial that any Maryland resident facing drug charges, and thus severe penalties, ensure their constitutional and legal rights are protected throughout their case, from the arrest to the trial. The Waldorf drug crime defense lawyers with Alpert Schreyer, LLC will work diligently to ensure you receive a fair trial and work to get your charges dismissed or penalties reduced. For information on how we can help you with your case, please call (800) 489-1577 for a free and confidential consultation.
The punishments for a drug transportation conviction can vary depending on certain factors, such as the type and classification of the drug, the amount, or the geographic location. Any individuals who transport and import drugs from another country will likely face the most severe penalties. A drug transportation charge is a serious offense in the state of Maryland, and consequences of a conviction can include: a lengthy prison sentence; hefty fines; court-ordered drug testing, rehabilitation, or counseling; deportation for non-U.S. citizens; search and seizure of property; probation; and community service.
The office of the Maryland Attorney General states that identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the country, affecting an estimated 10 million Americans each year. Maryland residents are unfortunately not immune and are cautioned to try and protect their personal information; in 2005, MD was ranked 11th in the country for identity theft cases.
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