Orin Kerr writes: The Supreme Court decided Florida v. Harris today, the Fourth Amendment case on when a drug-sniffing dog’s alert constitutes probable cause. In a 9-0 decision by Justice Kagan, the Supreme Court overturned the Florida Supreme Court standard that had required production of records of the dog’s reliability in the field in order to determine…
Category: U.S.
Lawmakers file bill to limit US drones, citing privacy concerns
Keith Lang reports: A bipartisan pair of lawmakers is introducing legislation to limit the domestic use of drones, which is being examined now by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). “It doesn’t take a constitutional law professor to see why legislation is needed to protect the rights of the American people,” Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas), the…
Florida State Senator Jeff Brandes wants warrants required for cell phone searches
From WTSP: Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) filed SB 846 Wednesday, a bill regarding search and seizure of a portable electronic device, designed to preserve the privacy of Floridians in a continuously evolving world of digital technology. “The 4th Amendment protects Floridians against unreasonable search of their papers and effects,” said Brandes. “In today’s increasingly…
Lawmakers reintroduce cyberthreat information-sharing bill
Grant Gross reports: Two U.S. lawmakers have reintroduced a controversial cyberthreat information-sharing bill over the objections of some privacy advocates and digital rights groups. As promised, Representatives Mike Rogers, a Michigan Republican, and C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger, a Maryland Democrat, have reintroduced the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA), a bill that would allow private…