The Alaska Supreme Court ruled Friday that law enforcement must obtain a warrant before conducting aerial surveillance around residential areas using aircraft and optical equipment with zoom lenses, The Hill reported.
The decision stems from a case dating back to 2012 involving John William McKelvey III, who was suspected of growing marijuana on his property north of Fairbanks.
In its decision the court said "we disagree" with the argument that the commonplace nature of small airplane travel in Alaska justified law enforcement's aerial surveillance practices.
The decision stems from a case dating back to 2012 involving John William McKelvey III, who was suspected of growing marijuana on his property north of Fairbanks.
In its decision the court said "we disagree" with the argument that the commonplace nature of small airplane travel in Alaska justified law enforcement's aerial surveillance practices.
