CAN YOU HEAR US NOW? GET A WARRANT
The US Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that a police officer can not search the cell phones of criminal suspects upon arrest without first obtaining a search warrant.
The 9-0 vote ruled that smart phones and other electronic devices were not in the same category as wallets, briefcases, and vehicles, which are currently subject to limited initial examination by law enforcement.
Generally such searches are permitted if there is probable cause that a crime may have been committed, to ensure officers' safety and prevent destruction of evidence.