Bill Could Let NJ Cops Search Cell Phones at Accidents

Just goes to show how far Republicans are lost. Especially Republicans in the NE. Republicans are supposed to be about limited government, not expanding it.

This is a good idea in principal, not in practice, and police WILL take this too far.

You want to search a phone, a piece of personal property, accident or not, get a damn warrant. Police will begin to use this as an excuse, or a "Smoke screen" to attempt to search individuals phones whenver they feel like it. Believe me, it will happen.

Accident or not, get a warrant, and let DUE PROCESS take its course. In either situation, if you are guilty, you will be found as such. How about trying to do so in a way that doesnt totally infringe on freedoms?

The use of a phone does not prove that a person caused the accident. The police should have to first show which driver was at fault based on standard accident investigation, and then they can get a warrant to prove that the guilty party has some enhanced criminal liability due to willful distraction or whatever they might call it.

Looking at phone records before concluding a proper investigation is not legally justified and could bias the investigation.