Tag: Open Fields

Landmark PA Supreme Court Opinion Rules Open Fields Doctrine Unconstitutional

Posted on by Dillon Harris, Esq.

The "Open Fields Doctrine" is a judicially created exception to the U.S. Constitution's 4th Amendment which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures (or at least it should). Under the open fields exception, law enforcement could enter and search the "open fields" of private property without a warrant, consent, exigent circumstance, or other warrant exception. Unsurprisingly, … Continue reading Landmark PA Supreme Court Opinion Rules Open Fields Doctrine Unconstitutional →