Police may search cars of drivers arrested on drunken-driving charges based on suspicion that open cans might be found inside, Maryland's attorney general says.

Tagged with: Attorney General Brian E. Frosh drunken driving fourth amendment Paul DeWolfe reasonable suspicion warrantless search

Police officers may open the flip phone of a person they just arrested and examine its screen saver but need a warrant to search the text messages and other information contained within the device in the absence of a public-safety emergency, Maryland’s top court ruled Monday in a trio of decisions.

Tagged with: Cell phones fourth amendment warrantless search

The State argues that appellee, who was on parole at the time of the search, had a diminished expectation of privacy. Appellee asserts that, because the officer was unaware that appellee was on parole, appellee’s status did not justify the warrantless search.

Tagged with: Baltimore County criminal procedure evidence Meredith motion to suppress Sept. Term 2013 traffic stop warrantless search

Maryland’s top court will again examine the scope of law enforcement’s authority to collect and test a criminal suspect’s DNA without a warrant.

Tagged with: criminal procedure dna evidence maryland court of appeals warrantless search