By Curt Anderson
Associated Press
MIAMI — A federal appeals court in South Florida is considering whether investigators are required to get a warrant before obtaining cellphone records detailing a suspect’s movements.
A panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Friday in the case of Quartavious Davis. He was sentenced to 162 years in prison as part of a violent armed robbery gang. Key evidence was cell tower records showing he was near the crime locations.
The American Civil Liberties Union says investigators should have to show probable cause of a crime and get a judge to issue a warrant before obtaining such personal information. Prosecutors say it’s sufficient to get a judge’s order without a stricter probable cause showing.
The Supreme Court in 2012 required warrants for tracking devices on suspects’ vehicles.
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