The specific details regarding how the location of Judge Garris was determined are not publicly available. However, in general, law enforcement agencies have several methods at their disposal to ascertain an individual’s whereabouts, especially during investigations or when ensuring the safety of public officials.
Common Techniques for Locating Individuals
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Geofence Warrants: These involve law enforcement requesting data from technology companies about all devices within a specific area during a particular time frame. For instance, a geofence warrant might compel a company like Google to provide information on devices present near a crime scene. However, the use of such warrants has raised legal concerns. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that geofence warrants are “categorically prohibited by the Fourth Amendment” due to their broad and intrusive nature.
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Cell Tower Dumps: This method involves obtaining data from cell towers to identify all devices that are connected to a specific tower during a certain period. While this can help place individuals in a general area, it has been criticized for its broad scope. Recently, a federal judge in Mississippi ruled that such “tower dumps” are unconstitutional, emphasizing the need for more targeted approaches.
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Real-Time Cellphone Tracking: Law enforcement can request real-time location data from cellular providers to track an individual’s movements. This method provides immediate location information but raises significant privacy concerns. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has argued that accessing such data without a warrant violates constitutional rights.
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GPS Tracking Devices: Attaching a GPS device to a vehicle or personal item allows continuous monitoring of an individual’s location. The legality of this practice often requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant, ensuring that the tracking does not infringe upon privacy rights.
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Public Surveillance Systems: Utilizing traffic cameras, security footage, and other public surveillance tools can help authorities track an individual’s movements in real-time or review past locations. While useful, this method is limited to areas under surveillance and may not provide comprehensive tracking capabilities.
