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US v. Jones began November 8^th, and this is a case that will decide the fate of warrantless GPS tracking.  The case originated in Washington DC, and involved a drug dealer who was convicted for cocaine distribution. The conviction was made with help from a GPS device that was affixed to the dealer’s car.  Police did not have a warrant when the GPS tracker was placed on the vehicle. However, the arrest was still made.

Those in favor of the use of GPS tracking devices by law enforcement feel that it is the only way to keep up with all of the nation’s criminals who are (with our deteriorating economy) increasing their activity.  Shockingly, less than half of the nation’s criminals are actually prosecuted, and for nonviolent crimes the numbers are even lower (roughly one out of five).

Those in favor of warrantless tracking feel it is only fair to give the police and related authorities the upper hand. This is especially true given the fact that anyone with a smartphone, the right spyware, or a GPS tracking device can do the same thing. If citizens (and some of them even criminals) are able to use this technology, shouldn’t the police be allowed to do the same?

Opponents of warrantless GPS tracking claim that allowing authorities to track citizens with a warrant could lead to the tracking of all citizens at any given time — and for any reason. However, this claim isn’t realistic for one very good reason: the manpower to track an entire population (or large segments of the population) doesn’t exist. Attempting to do so would create additional work for authorities across the United States — a notion that is likely an unpopular one with most police officers.

The bottom line is this: if regular citizens can use technology to track others, why should these useful and accurate tools be taken away from police who are (in the end) attempting to protect populations? I believe that the average citizen would agree that tracking suspected criminals is a great way to help put the 53% of untouchable criminals where they belong — behind bars.

Article Written by Khristen Foss