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United States v. Karo

United States Supreme Court
468 U.S. 705 (1984)

Written by Sarah Venti, JD

Facts

A government informant who sold ether containers told the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) (plaintiff) that James Karo (defendant) had ordered a large quantity of ether that Karo was going to use to process cocaine. With the informant's consent, the DEA installed a tracking device to monitor the movements of an ether container that Karo used. The DEA continued to rely on the tracking device even after it had been taken inside Karo's home, other residences, and relatively private commercial structures. The court of appeals held that the tracking device violated Karo’s right against unlawful searches and seizures.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (White, J.)

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Concurrence (O'Connor, J.)

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Concurrence/Dissent (Stevens, J.)

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