No. 25-6057

Katrina Lawson v. United States

Lower Court: Eleventh Circuit
Docketed: 2025-11-06
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: cell-phone-seizure exigent-circumstances fourth-amendment search-warrant unreasonable-search warrantless-search
Latest Conference: 2025-12-12
Question Presented (from Petition)

1. Whether the i warrantless seizure of a cell phone from
a private closet during a lawful arrest, without either a
warrant, or the owner's consent absent exigent circumstances,
followed by a prolonged delay before obtaining a search warrant
to search the device, complies with the Fourth Amendment rights
against unreasonable searches and seizures?

2. Whether a 12-day delay obtaining a search warrant for
a cell phone seized as incident to an arrest is unreasonable
under the Fourth Amendment, where the government only offered
ministerial and administrative explanations to justify the
delay?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether a warrantless seizure of a cell phone from a private closet during a lawful arrest, without either a warrant or the owner's consent absent exigent circumstances, followed by a prolonged delay before obtaining a search warrant to search the device, complies with the Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures?

Docket Entries

2025-12-15
Petition DENIED.
2025-11-26
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 12/12/2025.
2025-11-18
Waiver of United States of right to respond submitted.
2025-11-18
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2025-09-18
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due December 8, 2025)

Attorneys

Katrina Lawson
Katrina Lawson — Petitioner
United States
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Respondent