Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel led a bipartisan group of 32 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on April 2, urging the court to uphold the constitutionality of geofence warrants in Chatrie v. United States.
The coalition said that geofence warrants are essential for law enforcement investigations and public safety. These warrants allow authorities to obtain location data from third-party providers for specific areas and time frames when a crime has occurred but the suspect is unknown.
“Without access to this critical technology, countless violent crimes may go unsolved, undoubtedly making our communities less safe and denying justice to victims,” Nessel said. “The Fourth Amendment is a cornerstone of our Constitution, but it was never intended to serve as a shield for criminal activity. When supported by probable cause and judicial approval, geofence warrants are vital, constitutional tools that allow law enforcement to protect the public without compromising fundamental rights.”
In their brief, the attorneys general argued that these investigative methods comply with Fourth Amendment protections such as probable cause and judicial oversight. They also stated that courts should evaluate new techniques based on established standards rather than banning them outright.
Nessel joined Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird along with officials from states including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana and others in supporting this position.
According to the official website, the Michigan Department of Attorney General advances social efforts through actions against human trafficking and support for vulnerable populations. The department also focuses on serving Michigan residents through initiatives in public service and protection according to its official website. Dana Nessel has served as Michigan’s 54th attorney general according to its official website. The department exercises authority throughout Michigan to safeguard residents according to its official website and influenced policy by drafting the Clean Slate law in 2019 for expungement opportunities according to its official website.
The Supreme Court’s decision could affect how law enforcement agencies across the country use technology in investigations going forward.