X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.
Argued January 30, 2001

The principal issue in this appeal is whether exigent circumstances or some other exception to the warrant requirement justified the warrantless search of defendant’s electronic pager device. The trial court concluded that the police had been justified in retrieving the information from the pager as a search incident to defendant’s lawful arrest. The Appellate Division disagreed, finding that the search of the pager was not reasonably contemporaneous with the arrest. State v. DeLuca, 325 N.J. Super. 376, 388 (App. Div. 1999). The panel, however, sustained the search on an alternative basis proffered by the State. Given the possibility that the information stored in defendant’s pager could have been erased easily or deleted by additional incoming calls, the court concluded that the warrantless search was valid on the ground of exigent circumstances. Id. at 389-92.

We agree with the Appellate Division in respect of exigent circumstances. In view of that conclusion, we need not address whether the retrieval of information by the police also was valid as an incident to a lawful arrest. With that modification, we affirm the judgment of the Appellate Division.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
December 02, 2024 - December 03, 2024
Scottsdale, AZ

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers and financiers for the real estate healthcare event of the year!


Learn More
December 11, 2024
Las Vegas, NV

This event shines a spotlight on how individuals and firms are changing the investment advisory industry where it matters most.


Learn More
February 24, 2025 - February 26, 2025
Las Vegas, NV

This conference aims to help insurers and litigators better manage complex claims and litigation.


Learn More

We are seeking two attorneys with a minimum of two to three years of experience to join our prominent and thriving education law practice in...


Apply Now ›

Description: Fox Rothschild has an opening in the New York office for a Real Estate Litigation Associate with three to six years of commerci...


Apply Now ›

Downtown NY property and casualty defense law firm seeks a Litigation Associate with 3+ years' experience to become a part of our team! You ...


Apply Now ›