How The Government Can Use Your Cell Phone Against You

Tucson Arizona police government surveillance and tracking

Almost everyone uses a cell phone these days and a majority of these are “smartphones”.  For most of us, it’s hard to imagine living without them.  Not only do these devices provide us with phone service wherever we go, but they allow us uninterrupted access to text messaging, email, Facebook, a camera, and a whole…

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Can The Police Use GPS Tracking Devices?

Government surveillance in Tucson Arizona

Technological advances have changed our lives drastically over the past two or three decades.  New technology has provided additional tools for law enforcement, but it also threatens our privacy.  A global positioning system (GPS) tracking device, for instance, allows the police to track a person’s precise location via computer over a virtually indefinite period of…

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When Can Police Use Drug Dogs?

Drug-Sniffing Dog

Trained detection dogs are often used by police to detect different types of contraband, including drugs, currency, and even human beings, due to their highly developed sense of smell.  These dogs are regularly used at airports, ports of entry, and border checkpoints, but they are also commonly deployed to search vehicles at traffic stops and…

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Can Police Search Your Home Without A Warrant?

Search warrant required in Tucson Arizona

People have a greater expectation of privacy in their homes than in their cars.  Thus, the Fourth Amendment generally requires police to get a warrant before entering or searching a house.  This protection applies to anyone living in a home, whether they are homeowners, renters, or even overnight guests. If the police search without a…

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When Can Police Search Your Car?

Tucson police officer searched car after traffic stop

We all expect some degree of privacy, even while driving around in public.  In fact, the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides us all with the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.  Generally, this means that police must obtain a warrant before they conduct a search.  However, there are all…

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