First Of Its Kind Ruling Over Cell Phone Privacy

Marion County, Ore. – A ruling from a state appeals court could make it easier for police to search a suspect’s cellphone. According to Oregon Live, the court said it was okay for police to search the contents of an iPhone that Catrice Pittman had with her when she crashed her car into a tree in Salem, injuring seven people, including herself. She refused to give up her passcode to officers saying it would violate her rights. A Marion County judge agreed with police and prosecutors and ordered Pittman to enter her passcode. Now, in a first of its kind opinion, an appeals court agreed. Pittman pled guilty to driving under the influence and assault.