Can Police take my cell phone if they are investigating a crime in Tampa, Florida?





The police need a warrant to seize your cell phone. Recent Supreme Court case law has held that the warrant requirement for searches and seizures also applies to cell phones. The police routinely seize cell phones when they are investigating crimes, especially drug crimes, because they feel that cell phones may provide some of the information that they are looking for in order to link you to a crime. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a search warrant is required for a cell phone because cell phones contain some of our most private information. If the police have seized your cell phone and have attempted to link information on the cell phone to transactions you may have been involved in or other evidence it is important that you contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in Tampa right away.

Written by

Ray Lopez has practiced since 1990, with prior experience as a Hillsborough County assistant State attorney and lawyer for the Tampa Police Department. He handles all criminal charges, from traffic violations and misdemeanors to serious felonies and federal drug charges. He practices in all state and federal courts of the Tampa Bay area and throughout Florida, as well as criminal appeals, juvenile court, administrative hearings, and civil forfeiture proceedings.