Judge says feds need warrant for cellphone info

[IDemo]

Source: Associated Press

HOUSTON — A federal judge in Houston has ruled that authorities need a search warrant to obtain cellphone records that can be used to track a person's movements.

U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes's one-page order upheld a magistrate judge's 2010 ruling that had denied a request by federal authorities in three separate criminal investigations to compel cellphone companies to provide — without a search warrant — 60 days of records for several phones.

Hughes said in his ruling the data authorities requested is constitutionally protected from intrusion and can only be acquired with a search warrant under the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unlawful search and seizure.

In the 2010 ruling, U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Smith had ruled the warrantless request by authorities violated the Fourth Amendment.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45362192/ns/technology_and_science-security/

[alp227]

1. Hughes is a Reagan nominee (served since 1985)

[goforit]

2. LOL!!! Thats the Old America.... the one with a Judicial System

Not this Fascist State today.

[Moe Shinola]

3. : )

Civilization has not yet fallen.

[Supply Side Jesus]

4. duh!

i figured that was a given

[DCKit]

5. Only for now. They're going to keep asking until they get what they want.

We may have only a decade left before these old-guard judges (the ones who understand the Constitution, Bill of Rights and our laws) are retired.