can aerial reconnisance be used as a basis for search warrants?

Answer 1

Actually this is quite common with drug cases. The technology is so advanced that it can pick marijuana out of a field by colors showing up in the array based on marijuana's chemical content.

BUT, you don't see aerial evidence used in many other places within the judicial system. During the OJ trial, the prosecutors requested satellite images from the government to prove OJ's Bronco was at the victims but they were declined.

I think the government doesn't want to open that pandora's box quite yet.

Answer 2

I could see why they could from the answers before mine. It does bring a question though – using marijuana fields as an example - how can they prove that it is marijuana? They are looking at it from a pretty far distance above – how is it that they can be sure? A green plant or bush could easily be mistaken for marijuana – does this mean that they are able to get a warrant for every bush they come across? I think that the government already has way past the line in which protects people’s privacy. There has to be a line drawn somewhere. They are slowly moving closer in – before you know it the they will be in your bedroom making sure your using legally taxed condoms.

Answer 3

You'd think, in a free nation, authorities would need a search warrant just to search your property aerially.

Answer 4

Yes. You don't need a warrant to fly over houses or land.

Answer 5

yes, worked for foresty patorl in tennesse and cannot tell you how many times we called in crops, they once did a feild so big it took three dump truck to clear it out they burned in shelbyville airport. really big cloud. and yes you want a cool photo go to banaroo at night and fly over it. You wil see a low level cloud.

but with respects anything in public view can be used to get a warrent.

Answer 6

I'm no attorney, but I'm guessing they can. If it's out in the open, sattelites are taking pictures all the time so I think illegal search and seisure clauses do not apply.

Answer 7

Yes, it is done for pot fields all the time.

But remember it is only seeing what is visiable on the outside of buidings, and would have to show a probable cause that something illegal ison the property

Answer 8

I'm no lawyer, but I suspect the answer is yes. It's common for law enforcement to find marijuana farms by air. The "plain view" doctrine seems to apply.

Answer 9

Yes it can. The Supreme Court ruling in Florida v. Riley affirmed this.

Answer 10

You got me thinking. I never thought anyone would know ...that I occassionaly pee in my back yard when I thought no one was looking.