On Wednesday the United States Supreme Court ruled that cell phones and information contained on a phone are considered private and protected by the fourth amendment. The ruling means that law enforcement will be required to get a search warrant to look at or use data stored on a phone. Nevada County Sheriff Keith Royal doesn’t think the ruling will hurt police processes.

Click here to listen to Sheriff Keith Royal

Sheriff Royal does say that the ruling clarifies three elements around accessing cell phone data.

Click here to listen to Sheriff Keith Royal

The sheriff says that it is important for law enforcement to follow the law so that information that is gleaned from a cell phone can be used during a trial.  It does no good to jeopardize evidence because of an unlawful search.