As cell phone technology has advanced and smartphones have become ubiquitous, the devices we carry on a daily basis have begun to contain substantial amounts of personal information, including e-mails, photos, and records of where we’ve been traveling. Yet, until now, Rhode Island law held no requirement that law enforcement obtain a judge’s approval before searching the contents of a cell phone. ACLU-drafted legislation now requires a warrant to be obtained by law enforcement before any search of a cell phone is conducted. We encouraged the Governor to sign the bill into law; the governor, however, vetoed the legislation unexpectedly.
Cell Phone Searches (H 7110, S 3074)
Sponsors
Representative Edie Ajello and Senator Donna Nesselbush
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