GPS Tracking and 4th Amendment
Law enforcers are now using GPS tracking device as a tool to monitor people who are suspected of criminal activities. It is increasingly becoming a need for police due to the fact that it is proven to be effective. This small device is usually attached somewhere in the vehicle hidden from the owner’s sight. However it is now raising a 4th amendment issue where in they are pointing a question if the device is a part of what they call search.
Usually when a GPS is attached to a vehicle, officers don’t follow it but rather it is just providing a substitute for traditional visual tracking. Most courts argue that GPS devices are considered to be classified as part of 4th amendment. Supreme Court needs to address this issue because it has a major implication on whether or not GPS tracking can be considered as an intrusion of privacy. Actually the question as to whether or not GPS tracking encompasses the 4th amendment is part of a larger issue. How can we apply the constitution when it comes to evolving technology such as GPS tracking device. Remember the constitution was written on the days when technology is not yet that advanced. What constitutes searching back then was rummaging through the house and private areas.
Technology is really evolving. It lets people do what they can’t do years ago. Today it is up to us how we are going to reconcile this new gadget to methods and principles of traditional law.