Can police really access financial information on suspects?

Question

On police shows like Law and Order, the officers often access financial records of suspects (no talk of getting a warrant), or track credit card use to track down a possible suspect. Is that really what happens? Same with "pulling the luds" to see where phone calls were made.

Answer 1

with a warrant they could even access your underwear...ask Michael jackson

Answer 2

Absolutely. Suspects are often tracked down through bank, credit card, phone records, etc. Except where exigent circumstances are present (or unless you've got a good hook up on the inside of an organization) even the police will generally need a court order, search warrant or subpoena to get these records.

Answer 3

Anybody can access any information now in U.S., if you know how. Most seems to be lawful, according to the present administration. Phone records usually have to be subpoenaed, but police have a way of getting what they need.

Answer 4

If they can demonstrate to a judge enough just cause to get a warrant, then yes.

Answer 5

It's "pulling the logs", and yeah, usually the banks and organizations cooperate with the police.

Answer 6

I really should not answer this one.

But, the answer is yes. With probable cause, they can obtain a warrant.

Answer 7

OF COURSE THEY CAN. THEY ARE THE POLICE. DO YOU REALLY THINK THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO THIS. THEY DO HAVE TO PERSUADE A MAGISTRATE THAT THEY NEED THEIR PERMISSION TO DO IT, BUT THINK ABOUT IT, A MAGISTRATE IS THERE TO PUNISH NAUGHTY PEOPLE, IF HE HAS THE POLICE ASKING HIM FOR PERMISSION TO MONITOR THE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS OF A SUSPECT, WHATS HE GOING TO SAY?

'YES' I HOPE. I HAVENT GOT ANYTHING TO HIDE.

HAVE YOU?

Answer 8

with a warrant yes

Answer 9

Well, first they need a warrant, and it's easy to get, so YES, they can!!!

Answer 10

Absolutely, it is called building a case.