Posted on 05/10/2009 6:41:21 PM PDT by Huntress
MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin police can attach GPS to cars to secretly track anybody's movements without obtaining search warrants, an appeals court ruled Thursday.
However, the District 4 Court of Appeals said it was "more than a little troubled" by that conclusion and asked Wisconsin lawmakers to regulate GPS use to protect against abuse by police and private individuals.
As the law currently stands, the court said police can mount GPS on cars to track people without violating their constitutional rights -- even if the drivers aren't suspects.
Officers do not need to get warrants beforehand because GPS tracking does not involve a search or a seizure, Judge Paul Lundsten wrote for the unanimous three-judge panel based in Madison.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Sure. If someone places something on your property without your prior knowledge, it's legally a gift for you do to with whatever you choose. Otherwise, they're saying you have a duty to haul around government property at your expense without your prior consent or any due process. HOWEVER, if they find out you trashed it, they could probably parlay that into probable cause to get a warrant. Better to just leave it in your garage and let them think you never left the house in that vehicle.
Only if you do it. If they do it to you, it's just prudent law enforcement.
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