MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

What is the legal requirement to place a GPS tracking device on a suspect's vehicle?

1. Obtain voluntary consent through questioning

2. Get a search warrant for the GPS

3. You cannot legally place a GPS tracking device

4. Notify the vehicle owner before placement

The correct answer is: Get a search warrant for the GPS

To legally place a GPS tracking device on a suspect's vehicle, obtaining a search warrant is essential. This requirement stems from the legal precedent set by the Supreme Court in the case of *United States v. Jones*, which determined that placing a GPS device on a vehicle constitutes a search under the Fourth Amendment. The courts uphold that individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy regarding their movements and activities, hence warranting judicial oversight before any such surveillance is conducted. A search warrant is a legal document that provides law enforcement with the authority to conduct a search, thereby safeguarding individuals’ privacy rights. This process ensures that there is sufficient probable cause for the intrusion and establishes a legal framework in which the search can be conducted transparently and lawfully.