- Free Consultation: (813) 222-2220 Tap Here to Call Us
Location Data Evidence in Florida Criminal Cases
By Attorney W.F. Casey Ebsary Jr.
Learn more about me | Contact me today
Introduction
In today’s digital age, law enforcement increasingly relies on location data evidence from Google Sensorvault and Apple’s tracking technologies to build criminal cases. This powerful evidence can drastically affect the outcome of your case. Understanding how this data is collected, used, and challenged in court is essential for effective criminal defense in Florida.
As an experienced Florida criminal defense attorney, I will explain the impact of location tracking data on your case, common defenses, and how to protect your rights. For personalized legal help, visit my bio or reach out via the contact page.
Google’s Sensorvault database tracks billions of location records from users around the world. Law enforcement agencies—including those in Florida—now routinely request this data in criminal investigations. If you’ve been contacted by police or charged with a crime based on your location, this could be due to a geofence warrant that led authorities to your Google account.
This page answers common legal questions about the accuracy of common location technologies, how these digital investigations work, how they may violate your constitutional rights, and what defenses you may have. Florida criminal defense attorney W.F. Casey Ebsary Jr. is experienced in challenging these cutting-edge surveillance techniques in court.
🔐 Chart: Accuracy of Common Location Technologies
| Technology | Typical Accuracy Range |
|---|---|
| GPS | 5–10 meters |
| Wi-Fi triangulation | 10–50 meters |
| Cell tower data | 100–500 meters |
| Bluetooth beacons | 1–5 meters |
❓ What Is Google Sensorvault?
Sensorvault is Google’s internal database of historical location information collected from users’ smartphones, apps, and devices. This data can be incredibly precise—tracking a phone’s location to within a few meters—based on:
- GPS signals
- Wi-Fi networks
- Bluetooth beacons
- Cell towers
Google stores this data when users have opted into location services, which is common on Android devices and even iPhones using Google Maps.
❓ What Is a Geofence Warrant?
A geofence warrant is a type of search warrant that compels companies like Google to turn over anonymized location data for every device in a specific geographic area during a specific time window. This is a reverse-location search—instead of identifying a suspect and then collecting evidence, law enforcement collects data first, then works backward to find suspects.
Geofence warrants have three stages:
- Data Sweep – Police request all devices near a crime scene.
- Account Narrowing – Police ask Google to identify specific device IDs.
- User Identification – Police may request the actual names, emails, and IP addresses linked to those devices.
📚 Learn more about geofence warrants from the ACLU
❓ Are Geofence Warrants Constitutional in Florida?
That’s still being debated. Courts are split across the country. Some judges have ruled these warrants violate the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects against unreasonable searches.
Notable Legal Developments:
| Case Name | Jurisdiction | Results |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. v. Chatrie | Virginia | Geofence warrant ruled constitutional |
| People v. Dawes | California | Data suppressed due to overbroad warrant |
| Multiple Cases | Hillsborough County | Tampa Police Using geofence data |
These cases show that geofence warrants may not survive legal scrutiny—especially when challenged by a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer.
🔗 Fourth Amendment – U.S. Constitution
🔗 Florida Statute § 933 – Search and Inspection Warrants (Justia)
❓ Can Innocent People Get Caught Up in These Searches?
Absolutely. That’s one of the biggest dangers. Public spaces often produce dozens or hundreds of data points in geofence sweeps:
- Apartment complexes
- Gas stations
- Malls
- Parks
- Office buildings
- Highways or busy intersections
In one real-world case in Phoenix, Arizona, a man was jailed for a week after his phone showed up near a murder scene. He was completely innocent.
🔗 Read the NYT exposé on false arrests
📈 Legal Defenses Against Geofence-Based Charges
| Defense Strategy | Explanation | Legal Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Motion to Suppress | Argue warrant is too broad or lacked probable cause | Fourth Amendment |
| Misidentification | Device data tied to wrong user or shared phone | Digital forensics |
| Tech Limitations | Google data is inaccurate or imprecise | Expert witness |
| Illegal Search | Law enforcement didn’t meet Florida’s warrant requirements | Florida Statute § 933.02 |
❓ How Can This Data Be Used Against Me in a Criminal Case?
If law enforcement believes your device was near a crime scene—based solely on Google location history—they may:
- Seek a search warrant for your home or devices
- Interrogate you as a suspect
- Arrest you based on circumstantial digital evidence
- Use your location history in court to imply guilt
This evidence can be highly misleading if you were in a public space, your phone was borrowed, or location services were inaccurate.
⚠️ Summary Table: Risks and Defense Strategies in Geofence Warrant Cases
| Risk | Potential Impact | Defense Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Overbroad geofence warrant captures many innocent people | Wrongful suspicion, arrest, or search | File motion to suppress evidence based on lack of particularity and probable cause |
| Location data linked to shared or borrowed device | Misidentification of the actual user | Digital forensic analysis and expert testimony |
| Inaccurate or imprecise location data | Evidence unreliable to place suspect at crime | Challenge accuracy with technology experts |
| Law enforcement fails to follow warrant rules | Evidence obtained illegally or unlawfully | Suppress evidence under Florida and U.S. Constitution laws |
| Pressure to confess or plead due to tech “evidence” | Injustice based on circumstantial digital proof | Skilled criminal defense attorney to advocate and negotiate |
Google Sensorvault Location Data Evidence Frequently Asked Questions
Google Sensorvault is a vast database where Google stores location data collected from users’ devices, such as smartphones with Google services enabled. Law enforcement agencies request this data to trace suspects’ or witnesses’ movements.
It can include precise timestamps and GPS locations.
Often used to place suspects near crime scenes.
Requests typically come via subpoenas or warrants.
Learn more about legal standards for obtaining digital evidence at the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Florida Statute on search and seizure § 933.02.
Apple devices collect location data via GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Apple’s “Find My” and other services can reveal users’ device locations over time.
Law enforcement may request this data to confirm or refute alibis.
Apple maintains strict privacy policies but complies with lawful requests.
Location data from Apple devices can be critical evidence in investigations.
Visit Apple’s legal compliance page for official policies.
Yes. Location data is increasingly admitted as evidence in criminal trials. However, its reliability and legality can be challenged:
Was the data obtained through proper legal procedures (warrant or subpoena)?
Is the location data accurate and relevant?
Are there gaps or errors in the data?
Was the defendant’s Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches violated?
Florida courts reference these privacy protections under the Florida Constitution and federal case law.
Defense strategies may include:
Illegal Search & Seizure: Challenging if law enforcement lacked a valid warrant
Data Inaccuracy: Questioning the precision and reliability of location data
Chain of Custody Issues: Demonstrating mishandling or tampering of the digital evidence
Consent Challenges: Arguing location data was collected without proper consent
I carefully review how the evidence was gathered to protect your rights and challenge improper use of digital data.
Location data can heavily influence the prosecution’s case, potentially linking you to a crime scene or excluding you as a suspect. Understanding the nuances of this evidence helps:
Negotiate better plea deals or dismissal of charges
Prepare for motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence
Build alternative explanations or alibis
Yes, Florida courts follow state and federal precedents on digital evidence and privacy rights.
Florida Statutes regarding search warrants: § 933.02
Key U.S. Supreme Court ruling: Carpenter v. United States (2018) held that accessing historical cell-site location information (CSLI) generally requires a warrant. These guide the admissibility and challenges of location data in Florida courts. We have written extensively on this subject on Cell Phone Mapping CSLI and law enforcement use of cell phone data.
Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. Do not speak with law enforcement about your digital devices or location data without legal counsel. Your lawyer can file motions to suppress improperly obtained data. We will review all digital evidence carefully for weaknesses.
A reverse-location warrant (geofence warrant) asks a tech company for location data on every device in a geographic area, before police even know who the suspect is. It’s like casting a digital net and seeing who gets caught.
Sometimes, but generally law enforcement needs a warrant. That said, courts may suppress improperly obtained data—especially if your attorney challenges it under the Fourth Amendment.
Yes. Location history can be affected by signal strength, environmental interference, and shared devices. Forensic experts can challenge the reliability of Google’s records.
Absolutely. This area of law is complex and evolving. You need someone who understands both criminal law and digital surveillance—like Attorney W.F. Casey Ebsary.
Table: Comparison of Digital Location Data Evidence Types
| Source | Type of Data | Legal Requirement for Access | Common Use in Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Sensorvault | GPS, Wi-Fi signals | Warrant or subpoena | Tracking suspect’s movements |
| Apple Location Data | GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Warrant or subpoena | Confirming device location |
| Cell Site Records | Tower location logs | Warrant | Broad location area over time |
Video: Hire a Location Data Evidence Expert
Informative video explaining why to use an expert criminal defense attorney to show how location data is collected, requested, and used in criminal cases.
Why Choose Attorney W.F. Casey Ebsary Jr.?
I am a Florida Bar Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer with extensive experience navigating complex digital evidence issues, including Google Sensorvault and Apple tracking data. My commitment is to protect your constitutional rights and provide a vigorous defense.
Learn more about my background and approach on my bio page.
📞 Take Action Today to Protect Your Rights
Facing criminal charges influenced by digital surveillance technology can feel overwhelming. But you do not have to navigate this alone. Experienced legal counsel can:
- Analyze all evidence thoroughly, including geofence data
- File aggressive motions to exclude unconstitutional evidence
- Leverage forensic experts to dismantle unreliable digital claims
- Advocate fiercely to protect your freedom and future
Attorney W.F. Casey Ebsary Jr. offers a free, confidential consultation to help you understand your case and your rights.
🔹 Meet Attorney Casey Ebsary
🔹 Contact Us Today
📞 Call (813) 222-2220
Additional Location Data Evidence Resources and Legal References
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Florida Statutes Chapter 933 Search Warrants | https://www.justia.com/statutes/florida/statutes/chapter-933/ |
| Florida Bar – Criminal Defense Law | https://www.floridabar.org/about/cert/cert-applications-and-requirements/cert-cr/ |
| U.S. Supreme Court Carpenter Decision (2018) | https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/17pdf/16-402_h315.pdf |
📝 Final Thoughts on Location Data Evidence
Digital surveillance, like Google Sensorvault, is revolutionizing law enforcement but also raises serious constitutional questions. If your location data is being used against you, you need a criminal defense attorney who understands both the technology and the law.
Attorney W.F. Casey Ebsary Jr. is ready to defend your rights and challenge unlawful evidence to ensure you receive a fair trial.
If you or a loved one are facing criminal charges involving digital location data, don’t hesitate:
📞 Call now for a free consultation: (813) 222-2220
🔗 Meet Attorney Casey Ebsary
📨 Contact Us
Meta Title: Florida Criminal Defense Attorney | Defending Against Google Sensorvault & Apple Location Tracking Evidence
Meta Description: Attorney W.F. Casey Ebsary Jr. explains how Google Sensorvault and Apple location data impact criminal defense in Florida. Protect your rights with expert legal counsel.