Well, here’s a not-so-fun new twist in the search-and-seizure narrative. Car owners are being deprived of their vehicles just because cops think footage of a crime may have been captured by t…

Well, here’s a not-so-fun new twist in the search-and-seizure narrative. Car owners are being deprived of their vehicles just because cops think footage of a crime may have been captured by the car’s on-board cameras.

Legal explanation from a Canadian lawyer: https://youtu.be/jlQ99DIgy_4

  • @IphtashuFitzEnglish
    44•2 months ago

    From the article:

    In Oakland and beyond, police called to crime scenes are increasingly looking for more than shell casings and fingerprints. They’re scanning for Teslas parked nearby, hoping their unique outward-facing cameras captured key evidence. And, the Chronicle has found, they’re even resorting to obtaining warrants to tow the cars to ensure they don’t lose the video.

    And it sound like it’s happened in Oakland at least three times now. I’d love to see the warrants that the judges signed off on to see how the cops described things…

    • @[email protected]English
      13•2 months ago

      “The car was nearby and might contain footage.”

      It isn’t like getting a warrant is a huge step, but at least it is a slight hurdle.

      • Dr. DabblesEnglish
        -3•2 months ago

        Getting a warrant to seize an uninvolved person’s property, especially a vehicle, actually is a pretty big hurdle.

    • Dr. DabblesEnglish
      -9•2 months ago

      … so you agree with me. Thanks.