Supreme Court hears challenges to police searches of cellphones without warrants
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court seems wary of allowing police unbridled freedom to search cellphones found on people they arrest.
The court heard arguments in two cases Tuesday involving a drug dealer and a gang member whose convictions turned in part on evidence found on their cellphones.
The justices suggested they might favour limiting warrantless cellphone searches to looking for evidence of the crime on which an arrest is based. Both defendants could lose in such an outcome.
But it would allow the court to avoid subjecting people arrested for minor crimes from having the vast contents of their cellphones open to police inspection.
News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.