PC Subject to Search

November 1, 2000

The 9th Circuit, in a case where a man was charging with distributing child pornography, ruled that a search warrant that permitted a search of one’s computer was valid. The court held that there was valid evidence of probable cause because the evidence presented showed that the incriminating files were still on the defendant’s premises. The court additionally reasoned that this search of the computer was warranted because it is analogous to the common-day search of property on the premises that has the probability of containing incriminating materials.