GPS Used To By Cops To Track Suspects

legality of GPS devices being used by law enforcement without a warrant is questioned.

1 minute read

October 6, 2004, 6:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


Police investigators are increasingly using GPS to track people suspected of crimes. However, these agencies are not routinely obtaining warrants to attach tracking devices to suspects' vehicles. In motions on file in U.S. District Court in Albany, a defense attorney representing someone caught with the help of a GPS tracking unit has called the installation of the device “illegal.” "'The use of a GPS tracking device is a far greater intrusion than placing a 'beeper' on an automobile,' the defense attorney wrote, citing limited case law available on the subject."Although many police agencies don't as of yet use GPS to track suspects, because it costs more to keep a team of officers on a suspect's trail than to download information from a computer the use of GPS to track suspects will only increase. Therefore the questionably legality of the placement of these devices without a warrant will only increase in importance.

Thanks to sam gold

Tuesday, October 5, 2004 in Times Union

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Entrance sign for San Jose-Santa Clara Regional wastewater treatment facility.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action

As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

1 hour ago - * A Placemaking Journal

Rendering of Penrose Roundabout in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts

Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.

3 hours ago - WHYY

Green painted bike lane with striped buffer between car lane and curb parking lane.

Why Bike Lanes Are Good: An Explainer for the US Transportation Secretary

Sean Duffy says there’s no evidence that bike lanes have benefits. Streetsblog — and federal agencies’ own data — beg to differ.

5 hours ago - Streetsblog USA