Justices Protect Cellphone Privacy

Huge decision came down from the Supreme Court last week, which will not make the Police happy. Law Enforcement cannot search your cellphone without a warrant. In Riley v. California case, the defendant was stopped by the police and was arrested, and incident to his arrest his cellphone was searched and other criminal information regarding weapons was obtained. California Appeals Court upheld the search, but the Supreme Court said no: "The police generally may not, without a warrant, search digital information on a cell phone seized from an individual who has been arrested." This is interesting, because although California is perceived as a liberal state, the Courts are tough on crime and decisions have been in compliance with the Police Action as long as criminals are caught at the expense of sweeping privacy invasions by law enforcement. The decision is a click away. http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/13pdf/13-132_8l9c.pdf