Florida v. Jardines

Florida v. Jardines (argued before the U.S. Supreme Court) resulted in a huge drug law/criminal defense/protection of our civil liberties victory today.  Justice Scalia upheld the Florida Supreme Court's decision holding that a dog sniff on private property implicates the fourth amendment. 

The basic premise is this: The Police took a drug-sniffing dog to Jardines’ front porch, where the dog gave a positive alert for narcotics. Based on the alert, the officers obtained a warrant for a search, which revealed marijuana plants; Jardines was charged with trafficking in cannabis. The Supreme Court of Florida approved the trial court’s decision to suppress the evidence, holding that the officers had engaged in a Fourth Amendment search unsupported by probable cause.  The US Supreme Court thereafter upheld the decision of the Florida Supreme Court.

What does this mean?: The 'curtilage' around one's house is entitled to the same protection as one's home.  The police may still approach one's property in order to speak to you, but a search with a drug dog exceeds the permitted social norm and is therefore, a search.

Such situations require the experience of a criminal defense attorney.  Should you find yourself in a like situation, contact a lawyer immediately.