The Complete Handbook of Investigations & Privacy Rights Demystifying the Legal Parameters of Criminal, Civil and Private Investigations By Douglas H. Frazer, Esq. Copyright © 2012 This publication is subject to copyright protection, and all rights are reserved. This communication cannot be reproduced, in whole or in part, or further distributed, without the express written permission of the author. [2012] Page i TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 1 A: ABOUT INVESTIGATIONS ............................................................................................. 1 B: ABOUT PRIVACY ............................................................................................................. 1 GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF THE LAW ..................................................................................................... 2 A: TEXT OF THE PORTIONS OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION THAT MOST AFFECT THE LAW OF INVESTIGATIONS AND PRIVACY RIGHTS ......................... 2 1: Fourth Amendment ................................................................................................ 2 2: Fifth Amendment ................................................................................................... 2 3: Sixth Amendment .................................................................................................. 2 B: GLOSSARY OF TERMS ................................................................................................... 2 FOURTH AMENDMENT PROTECTION AGAINST SEARCH AND SEIZURE .................................... 4 A: REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY .............................................................. 4 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................ 4 2: The Plain View Doctrine ....................................................................................... 5 3: Protected Areas and Interests ................................................................................. 6 i: Consent ..................................................................................................... 6 ii: Automobiles .............................................................................................. 6 a: Driver not arrested ....................................................................... 7 b: Driver arrested but car not taken to station .................................. 7 c: Driver is arrested and both driver and car are taken to the police station ................................................................................ 8 d: Car Impounded ............................................................................ 8 iii: Household ................................................................................................. 8 iv: Greenhouse and Curtilage ......................................................................... 8 v: Business Premises ..................................................................................... 9 vi: Trespass or Physical Intrusion .................................................................. 9 vii: Tracking Beeper ........................................................................................ 9 viii: Transfer of Information to Third Parties ................................................. 10 ix: Secret Agents, Informants, Cooperating Witnesses ................................ 10 x: Telephone Numbers ................................................................................ 10 xi: Business or Financial Records ................................................................ 11 [2012] Page ii xii: Bank Records .......................................................................................... 12 xiii: Intellectual Property/Trade Secrets ......................................................... 13 xiv: Medical Records ..................................................................................... 13 xv: Tape Recordings/Bugs/Wires/Telephone/Cell/Hidden Cameras ............ 13 xvi: Computer Hard Drives/E-Mail Messages ............................................... 15 xvii: Photographs ............................................................................................ 15 xviii: Common Law Privacy Torts ................................................................... 15 xix: Video Rental Records/Book Purchases or Borrowing ............................ 16 xx: Abandoned Property ............................................................................... 16 xxi: Mail ......................................................................................................... 16 B: DID A FOURTH AMENDMENT SEARCH OR SEIZURE OCCUR? ........................... 17 1: Search Warrants ................................................................................................... 17 i: Warrantless Searches .............................................................................. 17 ii: Exigent Circumstances ........................................................................... 17 iii: Warrant Required to Conduct a Wiretap ................................................. 17 2: “Stop and Frisk”................................................................................................... 18 3: Inspections and Regulatory Searches ................................................................... 18 i: Health, Safety, Fire, Special Licenses, Etc. ............................................ 18 ii: Immigration and Borders ........................................................................ 19 iii: Checkpoints – Vehicles ........................................................................... 19 iv: Factory Survey ........................................................................................ 19 v: Search of Vessel in Water ........................................................................ 19 vi: Search of Mail from Abroad ................................................................... 20 vii: Supervision of Parolees and Probationers............................................... 20 viii: Schools and Educational Institutions ...................................................... 20 ix: Government Employees .......................................................................... 22 x: Non-Government Employees ................................................................. 23 C: WAS THE SEARH OR SEIZURE REASONABLE? ...................................................... 23 1: Did probable cause exist to obtain the warrant? .................................................. 24 2: Was the search or seizure within the bounds of the warrant? .............................. 24 3: Exclusionary Rule ................................................................................................ 24 i: Application to State Government ............................................................ 24 [2012] Page iii ii: Good Faith Exception ............................................................................. 25 iii: Wong Sun Doctrine (“Fruit of the Poisonous Tree”) .............................. 25 4: Detention Facilities .............................................................................................. 26 THE FIFTH AMENDMENT ...................................................................................................................... 27 A: THE TEXT ....................................................................................................................... 27 B: APPLICATON .................................................................................................................. 27 C: EXCEPTIONS AND EXCLUSIONS ............................................................................... 27 1: Waiver .................................................................................................................. 27 2: Non-Custodial Interrogations .............................................................................. 27 3: Private Papers/Diaries/Journals/Letters ............................................................... 28 4: Exculpatory No .................................................................................................... 28 THE SIXTH AMENDMENT ..................................................................................................................... 29 A: THE TEXT ....................................................................................................................... 29 B: APPLICATION ................................................................................................................. 29 SPECIAL AREAS OF THE LAW ............................................................................................................. 30 A: CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS OF CORPORATIONS OR OTHER ENTITIES ......... 30 B: TAX INVESTIGATIONS ................................................................................................. 30 1: Criminal ............................................................................................................... 30 2: Civil ..................................................................................................................... 32 C: ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS ....................................................................... 32 D: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND THE PRIVACY ACT ............................... 34