Missouri
How Carpenter v. United States applies in Missouri: state-specific rules, key cases, and bar exam notes for Criminal Procedure (Fourth Amendment).
Missouri law recognizes the implications of Carpenter v. United States, particularly regarding the expectation of privacy in digital data. The Missouri courts have reinforced the need for warrants when obtaining location data, echoing the Supreme Court's reluctance to allow law enforcement unfettered access to personal information without judicial oversight.
In Missouri, individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their cell phone location data, requiring a warrant supported by probable cause prior to obtaining such information.
The Missouri Court of Appeals held that the police violated the Fourth Amendment by accessing the defendant's cell phone location data without a warrant.
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled that warrantless tracking of a vehicle using GPS constitutes a search under the Missouri Constitution.
The court determined that police must obtain a warrant to access historical cell site records from a service provider.
Missouri's interpretation of the Fourth Amendment aligns closely with the federal standard set by Carpenter, requiring warrants for cell location data. However, Missouri courts emphasize state constitutional protections that may extend further than federal interpretations in certain aspects.
Understanding the implications of Carpenter in Missouri is crucial for the bar exam, particularly in questions relating to privacy rights and warrant requirements under the Fourth Amendment.