Ruling supports cell phone searches

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court now says police don't need a search warrant to look through phone records.

The ruling came after a known drug dealer questioned the practice.

Police found his cell phone number on a phone owned by a known drug user.

It's standard practice for police officers to search a suspect's belongings for evidence after a crime.

Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney told 22News drug dealers in particular run their operations through their phones.

Searching through their call list is like searching a drug dealer’s notebook for a drug ledger.

However, some think a search warrant should still be required.

Debra Hohol of Chicopee said, “They could try to assume that you did something wrong when you really haven't just because you called someone they think might have done something doesn't necessarily mean you that you did anything." 

The high court's decision only applies to call logs, not text messages or emails.

Martha Smith of Holyoke said, “If you have nothing to hide there's no problem I think it's the people that have something to hide that might be nervous about it but I have nothing to hide."