United States v. Warshak (2010)Issue: This case involved the government’s warrantless collection of emails from Steven Warshak under the Stored Communications Act, which was expanded by the PATRIOT Act. Warshak argued that the collection violated his Fourth Amendment rights.
Outcome: The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the government violated the Fourth Amendment by obtaining Warshak's emails without a warrant, establishing that individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their emails.
Impact: Although not directly a challenge to the PATRIOT Act itself, the case set a precedent regarding electronic communications and the need for a warrant, casting doubt on the constitutionality of certain surveillance practices under the PATRIOT Act.
Klayman v. Obama (2013)Issue: Attorney Larry Klayman filed a lawsuit challenging the NSA’s bulk data collection program under Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act, arguing that it violated the Fourth Amendment.
Outcome: U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled that the NSA’s metadata collection program was likely unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment. He issued a preliminary injunction but stayed it pending appeal. In his opinion, Judge Leon called the program "almost Orwellian."
Impact: The case contributed to the growing legal and public opposition to mass surveillance but did not result in an immediate halt to the program.
ACLU v. Clapper (2015)Issue: The mass surveillance program under Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act, which allowed the National Security Agency (NSA) to collect telephone metadata on millions of Americans, was challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Outcome: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that the bulk collection of phone records exceeded the authority granted under the PATRIOT Act. The court did not rule on the Fourth Amendment violation but did state that the mass collection was not authorized by the statute itself.
Impact: Although the court did not directly address the Fourth Amendment, it found that the program was illegal, leading to the passage of the USA FREEDOM Act, which curtailed the bulk data collection practices.
Fourth Amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.