In a landmark ruling on June 25th, the US Supreme Court held that when police officers make an arrest, they are not allowed to search the arrestee’s cell phone without first obtaining a search warrant. The sweeping 9-0 decision, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, brought Fourth Amendment rights against illegal searches into the digital age.

The DKT Liberty Project led an amicus (friend of the court) brief in Riley v. California, one of two related cellphone cases before the Court.

Without this ruling, police could theoretically arrest a jaywalker and look through his entire smart phone including personal correspondence, photos, videos, bank and medical records. Because of this decision, the police will not be able to search without getting a warrant that specifically lists what they are looking for.

The DKT Liberty Project is proud to have played its part in defending this basic constitutional right.