The Supreme Court last week quietly issued an unanimous decision upholding Fourth Amendment protections for passengers in stopped cars. The Court held that a passenger in a car is considered “seized” - an important determination that triggers Fourth Amendment protections against unlawful searches and seizures.

The opinion aligns with common sense and is not remarkable in many respects. But, the unanimous decision does indicate that, even in a court that tends towards stripping rights away, there are firm lines will not be crossed.

Cato