Redefining the English Language to Fight the Drug WarScott Morgan FAIRBANKS, Alaska The federal government can obtain suspected marijuana growers utility records without a warrant. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday ruled in the case of a Fairbanks utility, Golden Valley Electric Association, which refused turning over records to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. GVEA argued the Fourth Amendment protects customers from search and seizure without a proper warrant. But the appeals court ruled a customer lacks an expectation of privacy in an item, like a business record. [SacBee.com] Doesnt that just sound silly? In fairness, Ive studied enough law to know that the legal definition of a term like expectation of privacy is always slowly evolving and doesnt necessarily mean what a random person would think it to mean. But come the hell on. Once we reach point where theyre telling us with a straight face that we have no expectation of privacy with regards to our business records, well, thats just too stupid for school. Rather obviously, we wouldnt have to worry about the government obtaining our information from third parties if the government hadnt granted itself the authority to collect said information and then introduce it as evidence against us in court. I wouldnt have to worry about third parties carelessly disclosing my private information if such information were legally inadmissible as it ought to be. When I hear the term expectation of privacy I think of the physical boundaries that separate public from private. I dont expect privacy with regards to my purchases at the grocery store, or the content of a conversation on a crowded street. Its well understood that any crime committed in plain view is fair game for police, even if they have to use binoculars to get a good view. I even sort of sympathize with allowing police to search your trash, since you left it outside where anyone could walk off with it. But anyone cant just walk off with my utility bills. Stealing mail is a crime, after all. To say that I have no expectation of privacy with regards to that information is preposterous. Yes, the utility company could give my information to the police, but so could a neighbor who steals my mail. Either way, Im getting screwed by somebody and its not my fault for expecting privacy. You can support this information by voting on Reddit HERE linkwithin_text=Related Articles: 