Pubdate: Wed, 27 Mar 2013
Source: Houston Chronicle (TX)
Copyright: 2013 Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division
Contact:  http://www.chron.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/198
Page: A3

USE OF POLICE DOGS PUT ON LEASH

Miami-Dade police detectives conducted an unlawful search then they
used a drug-sniffing dog at the front door of a suspected marijuana
grow house without getting a search warrant, the U.S. Supreme Court
ruled Tuesday.

Civil libertarians and defense lawyers hailed the decision, which
curbs the use of police dogs in front of homes.

"It sends a message to police that when you're talking about doing a
search on a home, you generally need a warrant before you invade
privacy rights," said MiamiDade Assistant Public Defender Howard
Blumberg, who represented the Miami man at the center of the case.

Florida law enforcement officials fear the ruling will lead to a
further proliferation of hydroponic marijuana labs.
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