October Term 2011 · Docket 10-1259
Does attaching a GPS tracker to a car violate the Fourth Amendment?
The dispute centers on whether police physically attaching a GPS device to a vehicle constitutes a seizure under the Fourth Amendment.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Dreeben argued that Katz created a basic dichotomy. He stated that technology cuts in two directions.
Mr. Leckar focused on the seizure issue. He noted that the government did not address this specific point.
Chief Justice Roberts highlighted the change in technology. He noted that following cars requires significant effort.
Justice Alito stated that the issue gets to the core of the case. He emphasized the importance of the physical act.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 23-43 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 23-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 35-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-5 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 47-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-11 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 43-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 37-43
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case involves a physical attachment of a tracking device to a car. The government argues this action does not violate privacy rights. The defendant argues the physical act itself is a seizure.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 23-43 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 23-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 19-41
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 8, 2011.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 25-29
What each side wants
The government wants the Court to affirm the lower court ruling. It argues the tracking did not violate the Fourth Amendment.
The defendant wants the Court to reverse the lower court ruling. It argues the physical attachment was an unlawful seizure.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 23-43 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 23-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 19-41
What each side says
The government argues that Katz established a dichotomy. It claims technology changes privacy expectations but does not create seizures.
The defendant argues that the physical attachment is a seizure. It contends that sneaky actions do not automatically become trespasses.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 23-43 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 23-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 19-41
What the justices asked
Justice Scalia asked if sneaky actions are always trespasses. He questioned the definition of physical intrusion.
Justice Kennedy asked if a beeper could be placed on a coat. He explored the scope of physical attachment arguments.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 35-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-5 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 47-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-11 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 43-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 37-43
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of physical police intrusion. It determines whether attaching devices to property triggers Fourth Amendment protections. The outcome shapes future surveillance methods and privacy rights.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 23-43 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 23-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 19-41
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 35-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-5 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 47-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-11 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 43-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 37-43
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 23-43 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 23-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 23-43 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 23-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 19-41
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.