Thousands of court cases have addressed the question: Did the police act legally when entering a home, business, or car, and then performing a search? Learn about some of the most basic elements of law that make a police search legal or unlawful.
Since just after 9/11, the U.S. government has greatly increased its surveillance of possible terrorist activity.
Learn when the government can invade your privacy to hunt for evidence of a crime.
When must the police obtain a warrant before searching your home or other property?
A judge will issue a warrant if the police can show that it's reasonably likely that the search will turn up contraband or evidence of a crime.
If police officers arrest you, they can search your pockets and the area within your immediate reach without a warrant. But what happens if the cops come across your iPhone or Android?
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At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.