Monday, January 23, 2012

GPS Trackers and Civil Rights

Hooray, the U.S. Supreme Court got one right, which does happen from time to time.  You cannot be forced to show agents of government where you are travelling without the agents of government having a warrant.  Which means that the govt. can no longer place GPS tracking units on suspect's vehicles without a warrant being issued.  Our right to privacy does extend to where we go in our vehicles and you cannot be compelled to give this information to anyone without a court order (ie, a warrant).  Sorry that this decision has meant reversing the conviction of a drug dealer, but if the LEOs had shown a judge evidence to prove the man was a drug dealer, the judge could then give a warrant to track the suspect's movements via GPS tracker for the purpose of determining the pattern of distribution, etc.  But until the warrant is issued, you are compelling a person to provide evidence against themselves without determination of probable cause and following a person is the same as searching and seizing the itinerary of a person without due process (violating the 4th and 5th amendments).

Go Court Go.

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