The long arm of government can now reach into the medical records of ordinary citizens without a warrant, thanks to the Connecticut Supreme Court. The court held in February that the Fourth Amendment protects privacy rights and medical records, but not in the particular case of former Hartford police officer Nicholas Russo. Russo’s lawyer, Jim Brewer, said last week he will appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Connecticut Supreme Court Chief Justice William Sullivan seemed baffled by the actions of his colleagues. Sullivan, wrote, in a strongly-worded dissent: “I do not see why the government should be able to do in two or three or four steps what it cannot do in one.” He said the government would not be undermined by requiring probable cause and a warrant before criminal law enforcement officials are allowed to search such records.
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