Can Police in Michigan Search Your Phone During a Traffic Stop?

Being stopped by a cop is automatically a nerve-wracking experience. But if a police officer asks to look through your phone, are you obligated to acquiesce?

In today's technologically-connected world, our cell phones contain a host of data. It's not just text messages, emails, and information about all of our contacts - cell phones contain digital footprints that reveal our location histories, financial data, and browsing history.

Access to this information by law enforcement presents real concerns regarding our privacy and legal safeguards.

2014 Supreme Court Ruling

Riley v. California established a strong precedent in 2014 for protecting citizens' cell phone data. The Supreme Court ruled that police officers need to have a warrant to search a cell phone, even if that phone is seized during an arrest.

According to this source, Michigan law adheres to this landmark Supreme Court ruling, upholding protection from warrantless searches of Michigan residents' cell phones during traffic stops.

There Are, However, Some Exceptions

The 2014 case recognized that there can be exceptions to the warrant requirement.

Consent:  Individuals can voluntarily grant permission to police agencies to search the contents of their phones.

Incident to Arrest:  If an individual is arrested for a serious crime, police may search that individual's phone incident to the arrest.

Exigent Circumstances:  During situations where there is an immediate threat to public safety or evidence that public safety has been compromised, police may conduct a search without obtaining a warrant.

Fourth Amendment Protection

The Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution protects your digital privacy. Under normal circumstances, Michigan residents have the right to refuse police officers' requests to search the contents of their cell phones and should not feel pressured to unlock their phones or disclose password information.