Carpenter v. United States [2018]
585 U.S. ___ · Supreme Court of the United States · United States
Issue
Whether the government’s acquisition of CSLI is a Fourth Amendment search.
Held
Yes, acquiring CSLI requires a warrant.
Exam use
Summary
Whether the government’s acquisition of CSLI is a Fourth Amendment search.
Facts
Issue
Whether the government’s acquisition of CSLI is a Fourth Amendment search.
Held
Yes, acquiring CSLI requires a warrant.
Ratio Decidendi
A person has a reasonable expectation of privacy in the whole of their physical movements as recorded by CSLI.
Reasoning
Essay-Ready Explanation Generator
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Reference to Carpenter v. United States (585 U.S. ___) strengthens a Robotics and AI Law answer because the case reflects the principle that A person has a reasonable expectation of privacy in the whole of their physical movements as recorded by CSLI. Applied to a problem question, the case should be used after identifying the issue as Whether the government’s acquisition of CSLI is a Fourth Amendment search. The stronger essay move is to connect the material facts to the court's holding, then explain whether the present facts support the same conclusion or justify distinguishing the authority.
Underlying Concepts
- robotics-and-ai-law
- Robotics and AI Law
- Fourth Amendment – cell phone location data
- case authority
- exam application
Significance
Related Cases
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Exam Tips
Revision Checklist
- Name the issue before discussing facts so the marker sees the legal question immediately.
- State the holding in one sentence, then use the ratio to explain why the court reached that result.
- Use the citation and jurisdiction to show why this authority matters for the problem you are answering.
- Pair this case with one supporting or contrasting authority if the question tests limits, policy, or exceptions.