- Published: September 24, 2022
- Updated: September 24, 2022
- University / College: University of Miami
- Level: Masters
- Language: English
- Downloads: 13
The paper ” Mayfield v. United States” is an outstanding example of a law case study.
Facts: Mayfield, who is a Portland attorney, was wrongly suspected to be involved in a train bombing case that took place in 2004. Mayfield challenges the government for its surveillance on his home. Mayfield argues that the act was a violation of the family’s fourth amendment protections from searches that are unreasonable. The judge ruled in the favour of Mayfield in 2007 and the department of federal justice under British administration made an appeal (Mayfield v. United States, 504 F. Supp. 2d 1023 (2007).).
Procedural history: Mayfield seek a declaratory judgment under the patriot act that there was a violation of the fourth amendment of the constitution of the United States. The federal government permitted physical and electronic searches on Mayfield’s home yet the court had not demonstrated that he had really committed a crime.
Issue: Did the government err in conducting an electronic surveillance on Mayfield’s home without evidence of a committed crime?
Holding: the federal government did not err since the government can conduct surveillance when gathering evidence to use in criminal cases even without a traditional warrant especially when it presents itself in an assertion that is non-reviewable.
Reasoning: If the purpose of surveillance is for foreign intelligence, the government is not required to have a warrant. The court determined that the main purpose of the surveillance was to get foreign intelligence and thus, the fourth amendment is not applicable in this case (Mayfield v. United States, 504 F. Supp. 2d 1023 (2007).).
My comments: Since the court determined that the surveillance was carried out for the purpose of foreign intelligence, then the fourth amendment should not apply and therefore, the government was not wrong in carrying out the surveillance.