The court’s opinion echoed these sentiments, expressing grave concerns over the potential erosion of Fourth Amendment protections.
Just five days after facing intense scrutiny, the government filed a motion to destroy all records of the search, attempting to avoid a landmark ruling on the FBI’s unconstitutional behavior.
Plaintiffs’ attorneys viewed this as an attempt to ‘sweep a massive constitutional violation under the rug.’
Despite the government’s refusal to admit any flaws in the raid, the 9th Circuit delivered the ruling they sought to avoid. The court not only declared the FBI’s actions unconstitutional but also mandated the destruction of all records related to the search, including database copies.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California agreed to comply with the record destruction, refraining from discussing the ruling’s details. Rob Johnson, a lawyer with the Institute for Justice representing the plaintiffs, emphasized that the ruling prevents a dangerous precedent. And it serves as a warning to the government against Fourth Amendment violations.
