Posted: 4/21/2011 3:27:09 AM EDT
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Any MSP want to weigh in on this? I'd like to get both sides (if the article is inaccurate).
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| They are used in no different manner than that of a seized desk or laptop computer hard drive (WITH A WARRANT). They are not used on traffic stops on the side of the road as claimed by some news oulets. As far as I know, they are only used in the computer crimes bureau and not issued to road patrol. They are also not used to investigate misdemeanors. Once again, the conspiracy theorists are trying to sensationalize a non-issue. |
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The only exception to do so with out a warrant is upon arrest and before the arrestee is at the jail. US Supreme Court ruled on this a few years ago. Basically said they can search it like a baggie of whatever in your pocket when you are arrested. "Under U.S. Supreme Court precedents, "this loss of privacy allows police not only to seize anything of importance they find on the arrestee's body ... but also to open and examine what they find," the state court said in a 5-2 ruling."
Dont know of any thing that would allow them to search on a simple traffic stop. The first sentence makes me doubt the accuracy of the article. "The Michigan State Police have a high-tech mobile forensics device that can be used to extract information from cell phones belonging to motorists stopped for minor traffic violations. " Doesnt say it is being used. Im guessing the device was purchased for their computer crime people. Look at their web site. Those things cost ~$3000 each. Cops cant get new radars and raises right now. Doubt they can get a bunch of those. |
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Quoted:
They are used in no different manner than that of a seized desk or laptop computer hard drive (WITH A WARRANT). They are not used on traffic stops on the side of the road as claimed by some news oulets. As far as I know, they are only used in the computer crimes bureau and not issued to road patrol. They are also not used to investigate misdemeanors. Once again, the conspiracy theorists are trying to sensationalize a non-issue. That isn't the point. Us lowly citizens want to know what they are used for and the MSP is hiding that behind ridiculous fees. |