harlan logo

Slippery Slope?

November 4th, 2012

In the case of Florida v. Jardines, Joelis Jardines was suspected of growing marijuana and his house was “sniff tested” by drug-detecting dogs without a warrant by the Florida police. The dogs detected a scent and the police later came back with a warrant to find that Joelis Jardines had been growing marijauna and was arrested. Mr. Jardines argued that the evidence should be thrown out because of the tip given by the dog from the “sniff test” preformed without a warrant.
If the Supreme Court of the United States rules in favor of Florida, it is essentially being said that these free “sniff tests” can be preformed on any person under suspicion. This idea of these free “sniff tests” seems to be of good intentions but is not lawful under the United States Constitution. The Supreme Court of the United States should rule in favor of Joelis Jardines due the fact that these tests are and should be ruled as unconstitutional.