GPS Tracking Devices, Search Warrants, and Your Car

          In the case of the United States versus Antoine Jones, the U. S. Supreme Court answered the following question:

          Do the police have to get a valid search warrant before they are allowed to put a GPS tracking device on your car and then use that device to monitor the movements of your car?

          The answer to this question is Yes!  In arriving at this conclusion, the Supreme Court stated that:

• When the police attach a GPS tracking device to your car, they are physically occupying your private property for the purpose of obtaining information about your movements.

• Physically occupying your private property for the purpose of obtaining information about your movements is considered a "search" within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

• Barring certain exceptions, the police have to obtain a valid search warrant before they are allowed to search your private property.

      If you were arrested in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, St. Lucie County, Martin County, Palm Beach County, Broward County, or Miami-Dade County, call me, attorney Ron Chapman, at 561-832-4348 to discuss your case and see how I might be able to help you.