Legal Guide

Can police get your historical location information from your cell phone provider without a warrant?

Facing a phone search in San Diego? If law enforcement accessed your phone or location data without a warrant, understanding your rights is critical. In this 8:43 video, we explain Carpenter v. United States and what it means for phone searches in San Diego.

Cell phones constantly connect to nearby antennas, generating records called cell-site location information (CSLI). This information can reveal detailed movements and locations. In Carpenter v. United States, the Supreme Court ruled that accessing CSLI without a warrant violates the Fourth Amendment. This decision is essential for anyone involved in a phone search San Diego case.

In 2011, the FBI obtained CSLI from suspects involved in robberies without a warrant. Timothy Carpenter argued this was an unlawful phone search, and the Supreme Court agreed. Historical CSLI is protected, and law enforcement must obtain a warrant before accessing it.

Understanding Phone Search Rights in San Diego

If your phone was searched in San Diego without a warrant, a defense lawyer can challenge the evidence. Carpenter ensures that phone records and location data are protected under the Fourth Amendment.

What to Do if Your Phone Was Searched

  • Consult an experienced San Diego criminal defense lawyer immediately.
  • Challenge any evidence obtained without a proper warrant.
  • Protect your rights under the Fourth Amendment.

Full Opinion: Carpenter v. United States

Related videos: Jones v. United States | Katz v. United States

Anton Vialtsin, Esq.
LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM | Criminal Defense and Business Law
https://lawstache.com

185 West F Street Suite 100-D
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 357-6677

Licensed: California, Nevada, and Federal Courts


Filed under: 4th Amendment & Searches

Anton Vialtsin

Anton Vialtsin, Esq., E.I. is a San Diego criminal defense attorney and CJA Panel member in the Southern and Central Districts of California. New case breakdowns every Wednesday on YouTube.

📞 Call 619-357-6677