Katz vs. United States (1967)
Details: Federal agents believed that Katz was sending gambling information over the phone to people in other states, so the federal agents eavesdropped on a public phone booth that Katz used. The agents found out that Katz illegally sent wagering information from Los Angeles to Boston to Miami. Katz argued that the phone calls could not be used as evidence.
Decision/Justification: 7 votes for Katz, 1 vote against. "The Government's activities in electronically listening to and recording the petitioner's words violated the privacy upon which he justifiably relied while using the telephone booth and thus constituted a 'search and seizure' within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment." - Justice Stewart
Lasting effect (precedent/significance): This case is when John Marshall Harlan introduced a reasonable expectation of the Fourth Amendment protection.
Important/relevant details: If a phone call is made with expectation of privacy it is protected from unreasonable search and seizure.
Decision/Justification: 7 votes for Katz, 1 vote against. "The Government's activities in electronically listening to and recording the petitioner's words violated the privacy upon which he justifiably relied while using the telephone booth and thus constituted a 'search and seizure' within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment." - Justice Stewart
Lasting effect (precedent/significance): This case is when John Marshall Harlan introduced a reasonable expectation of the Fourth Amendment protection.
Important/relevant details: If a phone call is made with expectation of privacy it is protected from unreasonable search and seizure.