According to the ruling in Riley vs. California, what must police generally obtain to search a cell phone?

In the case of Riley vs. California, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that police must generally obtain a warrant before searching a cell phone. This decision was based on the recognition that a cell phone contains a vast amount of personal information and data that differs significantly from the physical items typically found during a search of a person or their belongings.

The ruling emphasizes the privacy interests that individuals have in the contents of their cell phones. The court established that the digital data stored on these devices demands a higher level of protection, similar to that afforded by the Fourth Amendment against unreasonable searches and seizures. Consequently, the requirement for a warrant aligns with the legal standards set forth for protecting individual privacy rights, reinforcing that law enforcement cannot simply search a cell phone without judicial oversight.

This decision highlights the balance between law enforcement needs and the rights of individuals in the digital age, ensuring that any intrusion into personal data is justified and regulated.