Supreme Court To Take Up Hotel Guest Privacy

The Court decided this week that it will take up a case to determine whether police may enter hotel or motel rooms, or check guest registries, without a search warrant. Hotel and motel owners in Los Angeles sued the city, saying an ordinance requiring they keep details on their guests and turn that information over to the LAPD upon request was in violation of their rights. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 7-4 decision, found that searches conducted by the LAPD – unannounced and often at irregular hours – violated the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure. The city of Los Angeles appealed the ruling.