Digital Evidence
‘Tower dump’ warrants ruled unconstitutional
In Re Four Applications for Search Warrants Seeking Information Associated With Particular Cellular Towers a/k/a Tower-Dump Warrants (2026)
Federal court in Mississippi held that cell phone “tower dumps” are per se unconstitutional general warrants.
Police Surveillance Technology: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Parity in Practice: The Defender’s Duty to Ethically Use AI
NACDL white paper finding that competent, ethical use of AI is now part of a defender’s professional duty. The paper provides roadmap for how to verify AI output, protect client confidentiality, vet vendors, and build an office policy. It includes a model policy for defender offices or firms.
Parity in Practice: The Defender’s Duty to Ethically Use AIRead More
Defense attorneys urged to cautiously adopt AI to match prosecution
National Litigation Support Blog for Federal/Community Defenders and CJA Practitioners
The NLS Blog has many posts that are useful to criminal practitioners covering various topics related to digital evidence. Recent posts include a post-Chatrie primer for suppression litigation and new information about cellular area searches. Defenders can subscribe to the blog to receive an email each time a new article is posted.
National Litigation Support Blog for Federal/Community Defenders and CJA PractitionersRead More
Funders Are Losing the Race to Govern AI. Here’s How They Can Catch Up.
Hundreds of Drone-as-First-Responder Programs Could Soon Be Launched Across the Country
ACLU Surveillance Discovery Project
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.
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.