US SUPREME COURT ABOLISHES 4TH AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS

Ok, I really hope that I’m wrong on this but it looks like the Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that any evidence found from a search that was a mistake but not an intentional violation of your 4th Amendment rights still bears evidence that can be used in court.

Here’s a link to a recent Supreme Court Decision:

Herring v. United States

Docket: 07-513

Issue: Whether the exclusionary rule should apply to evidence seized incident to an arrest unlawful under the Fourth Amendment due to erroneous information negligently provided by another law enforcement agency.

And here’s the Argument Preview:

In Arizona v. Evans (1995), the Supreme Court held that the exclusionary rule did not apply to evidence seized incident to an arrest that was unlawful under the Fourth Amendment because it was based on erroneous information negligently provided by a court employee. The question now before the Court is whether the exclusionary rule also applies when the erroneous information is negligently provided by law enforcement personnel.

So, there goes the 4th Amendment, nice knowing you.

And here comes the PR blitz announcing it:

This is the opening paragraph to EVERY STORY INDEXED IN GOOGLE. Talk about a direct message.

The Supreme Court said Wednesday that evidence obtained after illegal searches or arrests based on simple police mistakes may be used to prosecute criminal defendants

Just click it to see the google results. Here’s a screenshot right now for history:

The exclusionary rule is the reason police get warrants. If they don’t have a valid search any evidence would be excluded since it would have been obtained illegally. Now that effect is gone as long as it was ‘a mistake’.

A mistake

Oops, we searched you illegally but you’re fucked anyways.

This isn’t freedom. I really can’t think anything yet as this is a serious direct blow. It’s over, we lost and they’re announcing it.

I don’t know what else to say. Good night.