This project has compiled model motions that criminal defense attorneys can adapt and use to request information about law enforcement’s use of digital surveillance technologies, ranging from facial recognition to license plate readers to other forms of location tracking tech.
Digital Evidence
NC license plate readers are here to stay after a statewide test run
Supreme Court restricts use of geofence warrants
United States v. Chatrie, _ U.S. _ (June 29, 2026)
Held that a geofence warrant is a search. SOG post about the case is here. Link to opinion here. A NACDL Practice Advisory for defense counsel following the Chatrie decision is available here.
Don’t Like Car License Plate Readers Invading Your Privacy? It’s About To Get A Lot Worse
Motorists sue Westchester County over 1.6 billion license plate scans
Authenticity and Admissibility of Digital Evidence
Manuscript by Jeff Welty, May 2026
What’s at Stake in Chatrie v. United States
North Carolina Bureau of Investigation pushes for more license plate readers on NC highways
Supreme Court seems inclined to allow police to use geofence warrants to identify criminal suspects
Bryan Kohberger created a digital blackout during his brutal murders. FBI agent reveals how he turned it against the Idaho killer
Detectives test out a potential crime-fighting partner: AI
The Supreme Court’s Next Big Fourth Amendment Case
Your Body Is Betraying Your Right to Privacy
NACDL 4AC’s Omnibus Tech Discovery Checklist
This discovery list serves as an all-in-one, cover-your-bases initial discovery checklist for many of the most commonly used categories of technology that you will see in your cases.