SALT LAKE CITY Feb. 21, 2016 – In the second case argued before it since the passing of the late Justice Antonin Scalia, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral argument in Utah v. Strieff, a case that addresses the scope of the Fourth Amendment’s exclusionary rule when an illegal stop leads to the discovery of public information that justifies an arrest. Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes assigned Utah Solicitor General Tyler Green to argue the case on behalf of the State of Utah.
“Both sides argued their case very powerfully,” said Attorney General Reyes. “We congratulate Joan Watt and her team at the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association. The State of Utah and the Attorney General’s office were well represented today by our Solicitor General, Tyler Green. True to his reputation, he was extremely well-prepared, articulate and persuasive in handling challenging questions.
“The absence of Justice Scalia and his funeral this last weekend did not seem to distract the Court from being ready for vigorous questioning.”
The case began when police received an anonymous tip alleging that drugs were sold from a Salt Lake area home. Edward Strieff, Jr. was stopped by a detective surveilling the home. During the stop, the detective discovered an outstanding warrant for Strieff, as well as drug paraphernalia.
Audio of the oral arguments can be found on www.supremecourt.gov when posted in the coming days. Utah’s reply brief outlining the case and arguments can be found here.
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