"It's also a remarkable bit of chutzpah for the officer to refuse to answer the questions when sworn under oath in a proceeding," he wrote by e-mail. UPDATE 2:45pm CT: Hanni Fakhoury, a lawyer with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and former federal public defender, told Ars that judge's typically do not like such evasive action by witnesses. Worse still, cops were actively lying to courts about their use-asking a judge to sign off on a “pen register/trap and trace” order, which is far less invasive than a stingray.ĭue to some recent reporting in Tacoma, Washington, judges in Pierce County are now requiring that law enforcement seek specific permission when requesting to use a stingray as of this week. "We do not comment on solutions we may or may not provide to classified Department of Defense or law enforcement agencies," Jim Burke, a spokesman for Harris, previously said.Įarlier this year, the American Civil Liberties Union found that at least in Florida, law enforcement had signed similar agreements with the Harris Corporation. Harris Corporation, makers of the StingRay and other related devices, has traditionally refused to speak with Ars about its products. In September 2014, new documents released by the City of Oakland, California revealed that it is one of a handful of American jurisdictions attempting to upgrade an existing cellular surveillance system. ![]() In recent months, some new information has trickled out as the result of public records lawsuits in various jurisdictions-particularly Florida. In 2010, Kristin Paget famously demonstrated a homemade device built for just $1,500. Last year, Ars reported on leaked documents showing the existence of a body-worn stingray. Relatively little is known about how stingrays are used by law enforcement agencies nationwide, although documents have surfaced showing how they have been purchased and used in some limited instances. Angelita Plemmer Williams, a spokeswoman for the State of Maryland Judiciary, told Ars that Judge Williams was prohibited under court rules from speaking to the press “on pending cases that may still be appealed.”Īccording to the Sun, Haley also told the court that the Baltimore Police was not using a stingray, but Insley “still believes that police used a stingray to find Taylor.” Pushback begins slowly ![]() Seidel nor defense attorney Joshua Insley immediately responded to Ars’ request for comment. Neither Assistant State's Attorney Patrick R. The prosecution then withdrew the evidence of the phone and gun but said it would still pursue the case. ![]() Williams retorted, "You don't have a nondisclosure agreement with the court," according to the Baltimore Sun. Stingrays can be used to determine a phone’s location, and they can also intercept calls and text messages.īaltimore Circuit Judge Barry G. Haley cited a non-disclosure agreement, likely with a federal law enforcement agency (such as the FBI) and/or the Harris Corporation, since the company is one of the dominant manufacturers of such devices. Further Reading Judges impose rare, stricter requirement for “stingray” use by policeīut rather than disclose the possible use of a stingray, also known as a cell site simulator, Detective John L.
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