A woman called in about the police unfairly targeting her son. The son’s phone was found near the scene of an arson; he was currently sitting in jail.
Woman: They’re always accusing him of stuff!
Me: Like what?
Woman: Oh you know: robbery, attempted murder, burglary, drug possession with intent to distribute.
This wasn’t the main issue though.
Woman: Is it legal for the police to look at my son’s text messages?
Me: If they have probable cause to believe that the phone was used in furtherance of a crime, then yes.
Woman: That should be illegal! They’re trying to get him on drug charges because someone sent him a text asking if he could get them some weed.
Me: They’re allowed to do that.
Woman: That’s so unfair!
Written on May 31, 2013