THE JUDGE SAID OTHERWISE

As a point of clarification, contrary to the assertion in Mike
Sawyer's March 11 letter, I have never "ruled that no search warrant
is needed to install a GPS device (on a vehicle)."

Rather, in answering the general questions of a Register reporter, I
explained that federal appellate courts have consistently ruled that
the magnetic attachment of a tracking device to the exterior of a
vehicle parked in a public place does not constitute a search within
the meaning of the Fourth Amendment. I did not comment on any specific
warrant.

Douglas F. Staskal

judge, Fifth Judicial District of Iowa. Des Moines.

[Register editor's note: The error was ours. The Register edited
Sawyer's letter, which originally said, "Judge Douglas Staskal
rendered the opinion that no search warrant is needed to install a GPS
device," to say that the judge "ruled that no search warrant is needed."]