People v. Valdivia
People v. Valdivia
Opinion of the Court
*1133In this domestic abuse case, defendant Jose Alberto Valdivia challenges a condition of his probation authorizing the warrantless search of electronic storage devices, such as cellular phones and computers, under his control.
We find no merit in defendant's arguments that the electronic storage device search condition is unreasonable under Lent , nor do we find any merit in his argument that the condition is unconstitutional under the Fifth Amendment. Furthermore, we conclude that his attempt to raise the privacy interests of third parties is barred by forfeiture. We do agree with him, however, that on the facts of this case, the electronic storage device search condition is unconstitutionally overbroad because its potential impact on his Fourth Amendment rights exceeds what is reasonably necessary to serve the government's legitimate interest in ensuring that he complies with the terms of his probation. Accordingly, we will strike the electronic storage device search condition but will also remand the case to the trial court to consider in the first instance whether the condition can be narrowed in a manner that will allow it to pass constitutional muster.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
In June 2016, defendant physically assaulted his wife, leaving her with abrasions on her neck, bruises on her cheek, a swollen forearm, and small *1134lacerations on her knee and head. He was charged with one count of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse. The case was resolved by a negotiated plea under which defendant pled no contest to the charge in exchange for a grant of probation and 90 days in jail.
On the day of the hearing when defendant changed his plea, the People filed a 23-page boilerplate memorandum of points and authorities, accompanied by a 12-page declaration from a Sacramento County *184Sheriff's deputy assigned to the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force, in support of the imposition of a probation condition requiring defendant to submit his electronic storage devices, including but not limited to cell phones and computers, to warrantless search and seizure. The boilerplate memorandum explained that the superior court had "developed new language describing search and seizure terms and conditions accompanying grants of probation for certain cases." Essentially, the new language added "electronic storage devices" to the standard condition permitting warrantless probation searches, which already permitted searches of a probationer's "person, place, property, automobile, ... and any object under [the probationer's] control."
The accompanying declaration explained how evidence of additional criminal activity (in the officer's training and experience) tended to be found on the electronic devices of those who had engaged in the various types of criminal conduct identified above. With respect to crimes of domestic violence, the officer asserted that the perpetrators of those crimes "often violate restraining orders, protective orders, or no[-] contact orders which ha[ve] been issued post-offense" and "[e]vidence of these violations is often found on electronic devices." The officer explained that such evidence could include *1135actual communications with the protected party "via text, chat, or email," or "[g]eolocation data" that could "provide evidence that the suspect's device was near the victim['s] location in violation of an order." The officer further asserted that "[p]hotographic images, videos, or voice recording communications" could violate such orders, and evidence of those items might be found on the perpetrator's electronic device.
In a section applicable generally to all of the previously identified categories of crimes, the officer also purported to explain the need to examine the "[e]ntire [c]ontents of [e]lectronic devices." (Bold text omitted.) According to the officer, "it is necessary to search all the content contained on the device in some shape or form in order to identify ownership, possession, and activity related to the specific offense."
The same day the People filed the boilerplate memorandum and accompanying declaration supporting imposition of the electronic storage device search condition, defense counsel filed a boilerplate memorandum *185objecting to the imposition of that condition. Defense counsel's memorandum asserted that a condition allowing the search of electronic storage devices was too intrusive to be imposed, and even if it was not, such a condition would be constitutionally overbroad. The memorandum also asserted that compelling someone to reveal the password for their computer would violate the Fifth Amendment.
At the hearing, after defense counsel stipulated to the factual basis for defendant's no contest plea, counsel objected to the proposed electronic storage device search condition "as without a nexus to the particular facts of this case, as well as being overbroad." Defense counsel further asserted that if the court was going to "impose a search condition on cell phones," "that condition should be limited only to material on that phone which would have a nexus to the charge."
The prosecutor responded that the People were seeking imposition of the electronic storage device search condition "particularly because this is a domestic violence case." The prosecutor pointed out that a protective order was going to be issued in the case and then argued (consistent with the declaration from the sheriff's deputy) that evidence of the violation of such orders is often found on electronic devices.
The court imposed the condition "as stated," i.e., without modification. Thus, the probation conditions imposed on defendant included the following: "Defendant shall submit his/her person, place, property, automobile, electronic storage devices, and any object under his/her control, including but not limited to cell phones and computers, to search and seizure by any law *1136enforcement officer or probation officer, any time of the day or night, with or without a warrant, with or without his/her presence or further consent. [¶] ... [¶] Defendant shall provide access to any electronic storage devices and data contained there, including disclosing and providing any and all information necessary to conduct a search." Defendant was also ordered as a condition of probation to "[o]bey all laws applicable to [him]." And the court ordered, as a condition of probation, that defendant have only peaceful contact with the victim (his wife). To that end, the court issued a criminal protective order, effective during the probationary period, that did not prohibit defendant from having contact with his wife but did prohibit him from (among other things) harassing, striking, threatening, assaulting, following, stalking, and molesting her.
Defendant timely appealed from the order granting probation.
DISCUSSION
On appeal, defendant offers four arguments as to why the electronic storage device search condition is unlawful. First, he contends the condition violates the test set forth in Lent . Second, he contends the condition is overbroad in violation of his constitutional rights under the Fourth Amendment. Third, he contends the condition infringes on the privacy interests of third parties. And fourth, he contends the condition violates his privilege against self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment. We address each argument in turn, albeit in a different order than presented by defendant.
I
The Lent Test
" 'Probation is generally reserved for convicted criminals whose conditional release into society poses minimal risk to public safety and promotes rehabilitation. [Citations.] The sentencing court has broad discretion to determine whether an *186eligible defendant is suitable for probation and, if so, under what conditions. [Citations.] The primary goal of probation is to ensure "[t]he safety of the public ... through the enforcement of court-ordered conditions of probation." [Citation.]' [Citation.] Accordingly, the Legislature has empowered the court, in making a probation determination, to impose any 'reasonable conditions, as it may determine are fitting and proper to the end that justice may be done, that amends may be made to society for the breach of the law, for any injury done to any person resulting from that breach, and generally and specifically for the reformation and rehabilitation of the probationer. ...' [Citation.] Although the trial court's discretion is broad in this regard, we have held that a condition of probation must serve a *1137purpose specified in Penal Code section 1203.1. [Citations.] If a defendant believes the conditions of probation are more onerous than the potential sentence, he or she may refuse probation and choose to serve the sentence." ( People v. Olguin (2008)
Like the Supreme Court, "[w]e review conditions of probation for abuse of discretion." ( Olguin , supra , 45 Cal.4th at p. 379,
Pursuant to the foregoing, the initial question here under Lent is whether the electronic storage device search condition is reasonably related to preventing future criminality by defendant. Defendant asserts it is not. He contends that to the extent the prosecutor argued the condition was justified because evidence of the violation of no-contact protective orders is often found on electronic storage devices, "[t]he entire basis for allowing a warrantless search of all electronic devices under [his] control is nonexistent" because the trial court did not issue any such order in this case, but instead issued only a "peaceful contact" protective order. According to defendant, "[p]robation conditions are to be tailored on a case specific basis, and the search condition in light of the facts of this case is completely illogical." To that same end, he contends that because "there is nothing in the record regarding the current offense or [his] social history that connects his use of electronic devices or social media to domestic violence," "the record is wholly silent about [his] usage of electronic devices or social media," and "nothing in [his] current offense or his personal history demonstrates a predisposition to utilize electronic devices or social media in connection with criminal activity," "there is no reason to believe that the current probation condition will serve a rehabilitative function as precluding [him] from any future criminal acts of violence against his wife."
We are not persuaded. The principle underlying defendant's argument is that for a probation condition to be reasonably related to preventing future criminality, *187that condition must have a specific connection to the facts of the *1138defendant's offense of conviction or other past criminal conduct and must have a tendency to preclude the defendant from engaging in similar criminal conduct in the future. Case law from our Supreme Court does not support that principle, however. Not that long ago, in Olguin , a majority of the Supreme Court held that a condition of probation is reasonably related to future criminality if it "enables a probation officer to supervise his or her charges effectively." ( Olguin , supra , 45 Cal.4th at pp. 380-381,
Like most, if not all, probationers, defendant here was ordered as a condition of probation to "[o]bey all laws applicable to [him]." Given this condition, the fact that defendant may not have shown any predisposition to use an electronic storage device like a cell phone or computer for purposes of criminal activity, including but not limited to crimes of domestic violence, does not render the electronic storage device search condition unreasonable under Lent . The electronic storage device search condition-like the rest of the search conditions (to which defendant did not object)-serves to enable *1139defendant's probation officer to supervise him effectively by helping the probation officer ensure that defendant is complying with the conditions of his probation by obeying all laws, not just the law he previously disobeyed when he assaulted *188his wife. Because the electronic storage device search condition serves this valid rehabilitative purpose, it is reasonably related to future criminality and thus satisfies the Lent test.
II
Privacy Rights Of Third Parties
Defendant contends that because the electronic storage device search condition "allow[s] for searches outside of [his] immediate control (i.e., computers or electronic devices he may leave at work or with a friend or relative, or computers or devices he might share with coworkers, family members, or roommates)," because his wife and her children "continue to reside in the same home as [defendant], and potentially use the same electronic storage devices as him," and because "as a parent, he technically has control over his minor children's electronic storage devices," the condition here "is overbroad and infringes on not only [his] but his entire family's privacy rights" and thus "must be stricken."
We conclude defendant forfeited this argument by failing to raise it in the trial court, and thus we do not address it further. (See, e.g., People v. Trujillo (2015)
III
Fifth Amendment Privilege Against Self-Incrimination
Defendant contends that because the electronic storage device search condition implicitly requires him to "provide needed usernames, passwords, *1140etcetera" to facilitate searches of his devices,
The shortest answer to this argument is that even assuming the provision requiring defendant to "disclos[e] and provid[e] any and all information necessary to conduct a search" of electronic storage devices in his control can be reasonably understood as compelling him to incriminate himself in *189violation of his Fifth Amendment privilege, defendant has offered no authority for the proposition that the provision must be stricken. He places some reliance on the United States Supreme Court's decision in Minnesota v. Murphy (1984)
In Minnesota , the Court addressed "whether a statement made by a probationer to his probation officer without prior [Miranda ] warnings is admissible in a subsequent criminal proceeding." ( Minnesota v. Murphy , supra , 465 U.S. at p. 425,
The foregoing principles from Minnesota do not support defendant's assertion that the probation condition requiring him to disclose and provide any and all information necessary to conduct a search of electronic storage devices in his control must be stricken as violative of his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. Rather, at best, assuming (without deciding) that the condition can be reasonably understood as compelling him to incriminate himself in violation of his privilege, and assuming (without deciding) that the condition is sufficient by itself to communicate that a refusal to disclose and provide such information will lead to the revocation of probation, all Minnesota says is that when (if ever) defendant is asked to disclose and provide such information, he does not have to expressly assert the privilege, the failure to assert the privilege will be excused, and any answers he provides may be deemed compelled and inadmissible in a criminal prosecution. At the same time, however, if defendant refuses to disclose and provide such information, he may be in violation of the terms of his probation and the state can revoke his probation on that basis. Nothing in Minnesota supports defendant's contention that the mere existence of the condition requiring him to disclose and provide any and all information necessary to conduct a search of electronic storage devices in his control presently violates his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination such that the condition cannot lawfully exist and must be stricken. For this reason, defendant's challenge to the condition under the Fifth Amendment is without merit.
IV
Overbreadth
Defendant's final challenge to the electronic storage device search condition *190is that it is overbroad in violation of his constitutional rights under the Fourth Amendment. Thus, the question we are left with is this: Does an electronic storage device search condition that passes muster under Lent because it reasonably relates to future criminality by allowing defendant's probation officer to search such devices within defendant's control to ensure he is obeying all laws also pass muster under the Fourth Amendment? On the facts here, we conclude the answer to that question is "no."
"A probation condition that imposes limitations on a person's constitutional rights must closely tailor those limitations to the purpose of the condition to avoid being invalidated as unconstitutionally overbroad." ( *1142In re Sheena K. (2007)
There is no doubt that the electronic storage device search condition imposed on defendant here impinges on his constitutional rights under the Fourth Amendment. In Riley v. California (2014) --- U.S. ----,
"One of the most notable distinguishing features of modern cell phones is their immense storage capacity. ...
"[T]he current top-selling smart phone has a standard capacity of 16 gigabytes (and is available with up to 64 gigabytes). Sixteen gigabytes translates to millions of pages of text, thousands of pictures, or hundreds of videos. [Citation.] Cell phones couple that capacity with the ability to store many different types of information: Even the most basic phones that sell for less than $20 might hold photographs, picture messages, text messages, Internet browsing history, a calendar, a thousand-entry phone book, and so on. [Citation.] We expect that the gulf between physical practicability and digital capacity will only continue to widen in the future.
"The storage capacity of cell phones has several interrelated consequences for privacy. First, a cell phone collects in one place many distinct types of *1143information-an address, a note, a prescription, a bank *191statement, a video-that reveal much more in combination than any isolated record. Second, a cell phone's capacity allows even just one type of information to convey far more than previously possible. The sum of an individual's private life can be reconstructed through a thousand photographs labeled with dates, locations, and descriptions; the same cannot be said of a photograph or two of loved ones tucked into a wallet. Third, the data on a phone can date back to the purchase of the phone, or even earlier. A person might carry in his pocket a slip of paper reminding him to call Mr. Jones; he would not carry a record of all his communications with Mr. Jones for the past several months, as would routinely be kept on a phone.
"Finally, there is an element of pervasiveness that characterizes cell phones but not physical records. Prior to the digital age, people did not typically carry a cache of sensitive personal information with them as they went about their day. Now it is the person who is not carrying a cell phone, with all that it contains, who is the exception. According to one poll, nearly three-quarters of smart phone users report being within five feet of their phones most of the time, with 12% admitting that they even use their phones in the shower. [Citation.] A decade ago police officers searching an arrestee might have occasionally stumbled across a highly personal item such as a diary. [Citation.] But those discoveries were likely to be few and far between. Today, by contrast, it is no exaggeration to say that many of the more than 90% of American adults who own a cell phone keep on their person a digital record of nearly every aspect of their lives-from the mundane to the intimate. ...
"Although the data stored on a cell phone is distinguished from physical records by quantity alone, certain types of data are also qualitatively different. An Internet search and browsing history, for example, can be found on an Internet-enabled phone and could reveal an individual's private interests or concerns-perhaps a search for certain symptoms of disease, coupled with frequent visits to WebMD. Data on a cell phone can also reveal where a person has been. Historic location information is a standard feature on many smart phones and can reconstruct someone's specific movements down to the minute, not only around town but also within a particular building. [Citation.]
"Mobile application software on a cell phone, or 'apps,' offer a range of tools for managing detailed information about all aspects of a person's life. There are apps for Democratic Party news and Republican Party news; apps for alcohol, drug, and gambling addictions; apps for sharing prayer requests; apps for tracking pregnancy symptoms; apps for planning your budget; apps for every conceivable hobby or pastime; apps for improving your romantic life. There are popular apps for buying or selling just about anything, and the records of such transactions may be accessible on the phone indefinitely.
*1144There are over a million apps available in each of the two major app stores; the phrase 'there's an app for that' is now part of the popular lexicon. The average smart phone user has installed 33 apps, which together can form a revealing montage of the user's life. [Citation.]
"In 1926, Learned Hand observed ... that it is 'a totally different thing to search a man's pockets and use against him what they contain, from ransacking his house for everything which may incriminate him.' [Citation.] If his pockets contain a cell phone, however, that is no longer true. Indeed, a cell phone search would typically expose to the government far more than the most exhaustive search of a house: A phone not only contains in digital form *192many sensitive records previously found in the home; it also contains a broad array of private information never found in a home in any form-unless the phone is.
"To further complicate the scope of the privacy interests at stake, the data a user views on many modern cell phones may not in fact be stored on the device itself. Treating a cell phone as a container whose contents may be searched incident to an arrest is a bit strained as an initial matter. [Citation.] But the analogy crumbles entirely when a cell phone is used to access data located elsewhere, at the tap of a screen. That is what cell phones, with increasing frequency, are designed to do by taking advantage of 'cloud computing.' Cloud computing is the capacity of Internet-connected devices to display data stored on remote servers rather than on the device itself. Cell phone users often may not know whether particular information is stored on the device or in the cloud, and it generally makes little difference. [Citation.] Moreover, the same type of data may be stored locally on the device for one user and in the cloud for another." ( Riley v. California , supra , --- U.S. ----, 134 S.Ct. at p. 2491, 189 L.Ed.2d at pp. 446-449, fn. omitted.)
From the United States Supreme Court's observations in Riley , it is abundantly clear that a probation condition that authorizes the warrantless search of an electronic storage device like a cell phone carries the potential for a significant intrusion into defendant's private affairs-even more so than the standard condition authorizing the search of defendant's "person, place, property, automobile, ... and any object under [defendant's] control." As the appellate court observed in People v. Appleton (2016)
Given the potential for an essentially unprecedented intrusion into private affairs that may-and likely will-have nothing to do with illegal activity, the question is whether such an intrusion is nonetheless constitutionally permissible because it is tailored carefully to the government's legitimate interest in defendant's reformation and rehabilitation. We conclude it is not.
It goes without saying that the state has a legitimate and significant interest in ensuring that the purpose of probation-defendant's rehabilitation-is achieved here. (See People v. Wardlow (1991)
As defendant points out, "the record does not show that electronic devices played any role in the underlying criminal conduct"-that is, defendant's infliction of corporal injury on his wife. Moreover, there was nothing in the record to demonstrate that defendant "use[d] electronic devices for wrongful purposes in the past." Essentially, the record here showed only that defendant physically assaulted his wife on a single occasion. And it is significant that the People did not seek, nor did the trial court issue, a protective order prohibiting defendant from having contact with his wife. Rather, defendant was subjected only to a peaceful contact order-meaning he can still lawfully reside with his wife and interact with her on a daily basis, as long as he does so peacefully. Under these circumstances, there appears to be no substantial reason for believing that evidence of future criminal activity by defendant is likely to be found on electronic storage devices under his control.
In their attempt to justify imposition of the electronic storage device search condition on defendant, the People first contend that "because [he] has *1146pleaded no contest to a felony and accepted probation in lieu of additional punishment, [defendant] has a diminished expectation of privacy as compared to law-abiding citizens or those subject to searches incident to arrest." This is undoubtedly true, but at the same time defendant did not entirely surrender his rights under the Fourth Amendment by pleading no contest and accepting probation. The fact that the overbreadth doctrine applies at all to probationers like defendant illustrates this point. A probation condition that infringes on the constitutional rights a probationer otherwise enjoys still must be closely tailored to achieve the legitimate purpose or purposes of that condition. The fact that a person convicted of a felony has agreed to subject himself to the supervision of probation does not, by itself, give the government the right to dig through every aspect of that person's private affairs in search of evidence of criminal activity without any explanation or justification from the government of why such a search has, at the very least, a reasonable possibility of actually uncovering such evidence.
In attempting to suggest that such a possibility was shown here, the People argue essentially that the electronic storage device search condition was justified because defendant was convicted of a crime of domestic violence, and the evidence before the trial court (in the form of the stock declaration from the sheriff's deputy) showed that "in domestic violence related crimes, offenders often violate criminal protective orders like the one issued against [defendant] by threatening their victims via various electronic devices."
We find this argument unpersuasive for two reasons. First, the evidence presented to the trial court was not specific to peaceful contact protective orders like the one the court issued here. As we have explained, the sheriff's deputy whose declaration was offered to justify imposition of the electronic storage device search condition attested only generally that the perpetrators of domestic violence crimes "often violate restraining orders, protective orders, or no[-]contact orders which ha[ve] been issued post-offense," and "[e]vidence of these violations is often found on electronic *194devices" in the form of actual communications with the protected party "via text, chat, or email," or "[g]eolocation data" that could "provide evidence that the suspect's device was near the victim['s] location in violation of an order." The deputy further asserted that "[p]hotographic images, videos, or voice recording communications" could violate such orders, and evidence of those items might be found on the perpetrator's electronic device.
Whatever the validity of the deputy's observations might be in cases involving no-contact protective orders, there appears little, if any, substantial basis for finding a reasonable possibility that evidence of a violation of the peaceful contact order imposed here would be found on an electronic storage device under defendant's control. As defendant himself observes, "[a]nything *1147violent or abusive [he] would potentially convey to the victim through text, Instagram or Snapchat, he could convey much more easily in the flesh." As a matter of pure logic, just because defendant physically assaulted his wife does not make it any more likely that evidence of future behavior toward her in violation of the peaceful contact order would be found on a cell phone or computer under his control. And as a matter of experience -particularly the experience of the sheriff's deputy whose stock declaration was offered in support of the electronic storage device search condition-there is simply no adequate evidentiary basis for concluding that evidence of a violation of a peaceful contact order is likely to be found on an electronic storage device under defendant's control, especially when the deputy's testimony addressed in an undifferentiated manner all types of protective orders, including no-contact orders, and that testimony was not in any way tailored to defendant or his circumstances.
The second reason we reject the People's attempt to justify imposition of the electronic storage device search condition on the basis that evidence of a violation of the peaceful contact order might be found in a search performed pursuant to that condition is that, in any event, the People's justification is too narrow to reasonably justify the breadth of the condition actually imposed. Essentially, the People's position breaks down to this: Because there is a possibility that evidence of contact between defendant and his wife that violates the peaceful contact order-e.g., contact that amounts to harassing, threatening, following, stalking, or molesting her-might be found on an electronic storage device under defendant's control, the warrantless search of such devices without any limitation whatsoever is justifiable and not overbroad under the Fourth Amendment. On the record before us, however, we cannot agree with that position. As set forth above, Riley details the staggering amount of personal information that can be found on a typical cell phone, and Appleton reinforces that point. We cannot say that it is reasonable to allow law enforcement officials to cull through all such information on defendant's devices, without limitation, because of the remote possibility that somewhere in that information evidence of a nonpeaceful contact between defendant and his wife may be found.
For both of the foregoing reasons, we conclude that on the record in this case the electronic storage device search condition is unconstitutionally overbroad because its potential impact on defendant's Fourth Amendment rights exceeds what is reasonably necessary to serve the government's legitimate interest in ensuring that he complies with the terms of his probation. Whether the condition can, as a practical matter, be narrowed in a manner that will allow it to pass constitutional muster is a *195matter we leave for the parties and the trial court to address in the first instance on remand. For now, it is sufficient for us to conclude that the imposition of the condition in its current form cannot be sustained based on the record presently before us. *1148DISPOSITION
The order granting probation is modified by striking the probation condition requiring defendant to submit his "electronic storage devices, ... including but not limited to cell phones and computers, to the search and seizure by any law enforcement officer or probation officer, any time of the day or night, with or without warrant, with or without his/her presence or further consent," and to "provide access to any electronic storage devices and data contained there, including disclosing and providing any and all information necessary to conduct a search." As modified, the order is affirmed. The case is remanded to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
I concur:
Butz, J.
MURRAY, J.
For ease of reference, we will refer to this as the "electronic storage device search condition."
For ease of reference, we will refer to the search condition as a whole as the search condition and will refer to the provision referencing electronic storage devices as the electronic storage device search condition, even though the former is simply a part of the latter.
A similar question is pending review before the Supreme Court in In re Ricardo P.(2015)
On remand for consideration of whether the condition can be sufficiently narrowed to pass constitutional muster under the Fourth Amendment, defendant may attempt to raise a further challenge to the condition based on the privacy rights of third parties, and we express no opinion on the potential validity of such a challenge, other than to note that defendant may lack standing to assert the privacy rights of persons other than himself. (See B. C. Cotton, Inc. v. Voss(1995)
Actually, the condition expressly requires him to "provide access to any electronic storage devices and data contained there, including disclosing and providing any and all information necessary to conduct a search."
Dissenting Opinion
Regarding electronic search conditions, one size may fit many, but one size does not fit all. Here, the prosecution sought and obtained an overbroad electronic search condition based on a boilerplate presentation to the trial court without regard to the specific circumstances of this case or defendant's history, or any apparent consideration of the privacy interests of the victim or other third parties, or the potential negative impact on defendant's rehabilitation and reformation. One size does not fit all.
I agree with the majority's conclusion that defendant's challenge to the electronic search condition on Fifth Amendment grounds is without merit. And while I disagree with the majority's conclusion that the search condition is justified on the ground that it is reasonably related to preventing future criminality without a nexus, I agree with the majority that the search condition is constitutionally overbroad.
I write separately: (1) to emphasize the difference between the home, vehicles, and a probationer's person on the one hand and modern electronic devices on the other as they relate to general probation search conditions; (2) to express my belief that, because of the differences between homes, vehicles and persons, as compared to electronic devices, People v. Lent (1975)
I. Electronic Devices are Different
Today's electronic devices are fundamentally different from homes and other places subject to traditional general search conditions. Indeed, a search of electronic devices bears little resemblance to searches of physical places or property. Accordingly, the Fourth Amendment requirement of reasonableness requires that such devices be treated differently in the context of probation search conditions.
In Riley v. California (2014) 573 U.S. ----,
As the high court observed in Riley , "a cell phone search would typically expose to the government far more than the most exhaustive search of a house : A phone not only contains in digital form many sensitive records previously found in the home; it also contains a broad array of private information never found in a home in any form-unless the phone is." ( Riley, supra , 573 U.S. at p. ----, 134 S.Ct. at p. 2491, 189 L.Ed.2d at p. 448, italics added.) A modern mobile phone, tablet, laptop, or personal computer may be capable of storing a far greater volume of data than a person traditionally would have physically stored in his or her entire home. The intrusion on privacy when searching such electronic devices is not physically limited in the same way as in the search of a house, a car, or a person. Moreover, the "gulf between physical practicability and digital capacity will only continue to widen in the future." ( Id . at pp. ---- - ----, 134 S.Ct. at pp. 2489, 189 L.Ed.2d at pp. 446-447 .) Indeed, technology has made substantial leaps in the brief time since the high court decided Riley .
Furthermore, "[a]lthough the data stored on a cell phone is distinguished from physical records by quantity alone, certain types of data are also *1150qualitatively different. An Internet search and browsing history, for example, can be found on an Internet-enabled phone and could reveal an individual's private interests or concerns-perhaps a search for certain symptoms of disease, coupled with frequent visits to WebMD. Data on a cell phone can also reveal where a person has been. Historic location information is a standard feature on many smart phones and can reconstruct someone's specific movements down to the minute, not only around town but also within a particular building." ( Riley,
For example, as the high court in Riley noted, access to electronic devices can reveal Internet searches and browser history. ( *197Riley,
There are additional characteristics of electronic devices that are materially different compared to physical locations such as a home. Data in electronic devices can be deleted, yet it can be forensically retrieved. (See, e.g., In re Malik J. (2015)
"To further complicate the scope of the privacy interests at stake, the data a user views on many modern cell phones may not in fact be stored on the device itself" due to " 'cloud computing,' " which is "the capacity of Internet-connected devices to display data stored on remote servers rather than on the device itself." ( Riley,
We may further consider the nature of home searches and searches of other physical locations to illustrate why searches of electronic devices are different in the probation context. In supervising probationers, probation officers sometimes make visits to probationers' homes. This is an invasion of privacy of all who reside at the residence, but one that is necessary, understood, and accepted. (See People v. Woods (1999)
However, as a practical matter, a search executed at a residence during a home visit does not rise to the level of intrusion implicated in searching electronic devices. For example, as a practical matter, in a probation search of a home, law enforcement is not going to look at every document or scrap of paper on the off chance that it might reveal evidence of a violation. Law enforcement simply does not have the resources to undertake such fishing expeditions. Nor would it be reasonable to do so. In fact, a search where officers showed up at a home and went through every piece of paper looking, for example, for written threats or other non-peaceful communication just to determine whether a probationer may have written some such communication without some reason to believe such evidence would be found could be considered arbitrary, capricious, or harassing. (See People v. Bravo (1987)
The Attorney General asserts that searches of electronic devices are no different than traditional search conditions authorizing probation officers to search homes, vehicles, and the persons of probationers. At oral argument, the Attorney General repeatedly asserted that the home is the "pinnacle of the Fourth Amendment," and that if a probation officer can search a probationer's home under a general search condition, by even greater force of reason, the probation officer can search a probationer's electronic devices. For the reasons discussed ante , I disagree with the fundamental assumption of this contention; electronic devices are different qualitatively and quantitatively from homes, containing more information, including information that previously would not be discoverable. The touchstone of Fourth Amendment analysis is not the home or the location or focus of the search; the "touchstone of the Fourth Amendment is reasonableness , and the reasonableness of a search is determined 'by assessing, on the one hand, the degree to which it intrudes upon an individual's privacy and, on the other, the degree to which it is needed for the promotion of legitimate governmental interests.' " ( United States v. Knights (2001)
*199Furthermore, the intrusions on the privacy of third parties who communicate with probationers via electronic devices is far greater than any such intrusion related to searches of the common areas in physical places where the third party might be located or reside. Additionally, unlike the search of a physical location, where there is a greater likelihood that the third party will become aware of the search, searches of data from a probationer's electronic device and the collection of private information about third parties may never become known to them.
*1153Moreover, unlike searches of physical locations, searches of electronic devices can be conducted outside the presence of other people, including the probationer. Indeed, the search condition here authorizes seizure of electronic devices, which means review of the data from a seized device could take place at some location other than the place where it is found. Consequently, in such situations, there is no way to monitor compliance with the requirements that searches not be done arbitrarily or capriciously or for purposes of harassment (see Bravo, supra , 43 Cal.3d at p. 610,
None of this is to say that electronic devices cannot be the subject of search conditions imposed on probationers. Rather, the purpose of this discussion is to illustrate how these devices present new issues in the context of such probation search conditions and to provide the backdrop against which the validity and constitutionality of such search conditions must be evaluated.
II. Nexus to Circumstances Pertinent to the Case and the Probationer
A. Fourth Amendment Reasonableness, the Lent Test, and Olguin
In Lent, supra ,
As noted by the majority (Maj. opn., ante , at p. 186), in Olguin our high court addressed a probation condition requiring the probationer to inform the probation department about the presence of pets at his residence. ( Olguin, supra , 45 Cal.4th at p. 378,
B. Proceedings in the Trial Court
In the trial court, the prosecution grounded its request for the electronic search condition on a nexus between the crime and the probation condition. For example, the prosecution stated: "it is imperative that where these devices are shown to have a nexus to the type of criminal conduct committed by the probationer , the search conditions traditionally extended to persons, homes, and objects should also be extended to include the electronic devices of those probationers." (Italics added.) The prosecution relied on cases requiring or discussing such a nexus, including Malik J., supra ,
The deputy sheriff's boilerplate declaration accompanying the prosecution's memorandum suggests a focus on a nexus by identifying the type of *1155evidence that can be found on electronic devices in various types of cases.
On appeal, the People contend the electronic search condition is "rationally related to [defendant's] crimes." According to the People, this is so because the condition is reasonably related to preventing future criminality in the form of violations of the criminal protective order. The People argue that the condition would enable probation officers "to determine if [defendant] was continuing with his threatening[
However, the People also argue on appeal, for the first time , that the electronic search condition would help ensure that defendant abides by the condition that he obey all laws. It appears that the People on appeal have abandoned, and indeed now refute, their contention in the trial court that a nexus is required between the probationer's offense and the search condition imposed. The majority approves of an electronic search condition here based on the People's belated contention. (Maj. opn., ante , at p. 187.)
D. Evolving Case Law Regarding Electronic Search Conditions
In People v. Bryant (2017)
The Bryant court also distinguished Olguin , stating: "Unlike the pet notification condition in Olguin , however, a search of a defendant's cellular phone and other electronic devices implicates a defendant's constitutional rights ." ( Bryant,
The Bryant court relied on several cases as examples of the application of this nexus rule. Several of these were cases cited by the prosecution in the trial court in its briefing calling for a nexus.
In Erica R., supra ,
In In re J.B. (2015)
The J.B. court also discussed Olguin, supra ,
In Appleton , the defendant met the victim through a social media application. ( Appleton, supra , 245 Cal.App.4th at p. 719,
As an example of a case in which a nexus between the probationer's offense and the search condition imposed was found, the courts in Erica R ., J.B ., and Bryant discussed People v. Ebertowski (2014)
Similar to Ebertowski , the court in In re J.E. (2016)
Similarly, in P.O., supra ,
Recently, in Trujillo , supra ,
The Trujillo court concluded: "The [trial] court made an express finding that 'in order to supervise the defendant now on two [violent] felonies,' the probation department needs to be able to 'view what is on his computer, his cell phone ....' The record shows the court did not impose this condition as a matter of routine, but considered the specific facts relevant to Trujillo's case ." ( Trujillo , supra , 15 Cal.App.5th at p. 583,
E. Analysis
I agree with the courts in Bryant , Erica R. , J.B. , and Appleton , as well as the reasoning supporting electronic search conditions in Ebertowski , J.E. , and P.O. Electronic devices and the data they record and store are fundamentally different than physical objects to be found in the home or vehicle or on the person. Application of the Lent test and the reasonableness requirement relative to electronic search conditions must take that difference into account. Given the nature of electronic search conditions, Lent cannot be satisfied unless there is a showing of a nexus. But the nexus need not relate to the charged crime. Based on the cases I have discussed, I conclude there must be a nexus between the electronic search condition and either (1) defendant's present crime (this is the first Lent -prong), or (2) defendant's past crimes or misconduct, or (3) defendant's background, history and circumstances. This goes beyond the first Lent prong, " 'no relationship to the crime of which the offender was convicted' " ( Lent, supra , 15 Cal.3d at p. 486,
Given the record before us in the instant case, there is no dispute that the electronic search condition has no relationship to defendant's crime, and the use of electronic devices is not itself criminal. Thus, the third prong of the Lent test-whether the electronic search condition is reasonably related to future criminality-is the only prong at issue. In my view, no nexus has been shown between the electronic search condition and defendant's potential future criminality that would satisfy the reasonableness requirement. Indeed, as the majority says in its overbreadth discussion, "there appears to be no substantial reason for believing that evidence of future criminal activity by defendant is likely to be found on electronic storage devices under his control." (Maj. opn., ante , at p. 193.) Reviewing courts "must decide whether the condition is reasonably related to a risk that defendant will reoffend." ( *1164Brandão, supra , 210 Cal.App.4th at p. 574,
Here, there is no record supporting the premise that electronic devices played any role in the underlying offense. Indeed, the record is utterly silent on the subject of defendant's use of electronic devices. This is not to say that the required nexus must necessarily show the use of electronic devices in defendant's current or past crimes or misconduct. Other circumstances may support the nexus, such as the nature of prior crimes or misconduct-for example, in the context of a domestic violence case, evidence of prior threats, harassment, attempts at dissuasion, whether orally in person or over the phone, in writing or electronically might provide the required nexus. Here, however, there is no evidence in the record concerning any past crimes or misconduct by defendant. More particular to the search condition, there is no evidence showing that defendant ever threatened the victim or anyone else in the past, verbally, in writing or electronically. Nor is there any evidence that defendant committed past acts of verbal abuse or harassment against the victim or anyone else. Nor is there evidence defendant attempted to dissuade the victim or anyone else from reporting abuse or cooperating with the authorities. Nor are there any other relevant background or historical circumstances from which a court could conclude the electronic search condition here is reasonably related to future criminality or to a potential violation of the peaceful contact order. If there had been such prior misconduct, it would be reasonable to predict defendant might use electronic devices to engage in that same type of conduct in the future, even if such devices *209were not the method of communication in the past.
Allowing probation searches of electronic devices, which as I have noted, are quantitatively and qualitatively different from the home or other physical locations, without the nexus discussed ante , is unreasonable. Moreover, as I will discuss, the absence of a nexus makes the narrow tailoring required to overcome an overbreadth challenge problematic at best.
The prosecutor in the trial court stated that she was requesting the electronic search condition because this is a domestic violence case, a protective order would be issued, and protective order violations "often are found on electronic devices" in various forms of communication. While the prosecutor's representations concerning electronic device usage relative to *1165domestic violence crimes may be true as a general proposition, they would seem to have little to no application to the facts and circumstances of this case given the absence of information specific to defendant. Furthermore, here, the trial court issued a peaceful contact protective order,
Abandoning the nexus requirement, the Attorney General advances the contention that the electronic search condition would help ensure that defendant abides by the condition that he obey all laws. (See Balestra, supra , 76 Cal.App.4th at p. 67,
Our role as the reviewing court is different from that of the trial court. "Under Olguin , our role in evaluating the third Lent factor is to determine whether there is a reasonable factual basis for the trial court to decide that the probation condition will assist the probation department to supervise the defendant." ( Trujillo, supra , 15 Cal.App.5th at pp. 584-585,
III. Constitutional Overbreadth
Even if the electronic search condition is valid as reasonable under Lent , there remains the separate issue of constitutional overbreadth. I agree with the majority that the search condition here is overbroad because its potential impact on defendant's rights exceed what is reasonably necessary to serve the government's legitimate interest in ensuring that he complies with the terms of his probation. (Maj. opn., ante , at p. 183.) However, as will be seen, narrowly tailoring an electronic search condition is complicated by the absence of the nexus discussed ante .
"A probation condition that imposes limitations on a person's constitutional rights must closely tailor those limitations to the purpose of the condition to avoid being invalidated as unconstitutionally overbroad." ( In re Sheena K. (2007)
There are two separate sets of privacy interests involved in the overbreadth analysis here: defendant's privacy interests and the privacy interests of third parties. I focus first on the privacy rights of third parties, then on defendant's privacy interests.
*1167A. Third Party Privacy Rights
On appeal, defendant argues that the electronic search condition infringes on the privacy interests of third parties. The People do not address this argument in their briefing.
1. Forfeiture
Even though the People do not argue forfeiture, the majority concludes that defendant forfeited his third party privacy rights argument by failing to raise it before the trial court. (Maj. opn., ante , at pp. 187-88.) For the reasons I discuss post , I *211believe we should exercise our discretion to address defendant's contention. (See People v. Williams (1998)
2. Standing
Because the majority deems the issue forfeited, it does not address defendant's contention concerning third party privacy rights, stating that it expresses no opinion on the matter, other than to observe that "defendant may lack standing to assert the privacy rights of persons other than himself. (See B.C. Cotton, Inc. v. Voss (1995)
The issue of third party standing was addressed by the court in J.B., supra ,
Moreover, B.C. Cotton , cited by the majority, is inapposite. In B.C. Cotton , the court noted: "Courts are created to resolve cases and controversies and not to render advisory opinions or resolve questions of purely academic interest. Accordingly, courts will not consider issues tendered by a person whose rights and interests are not affected." ( B.C. Cotton, supra , 33 Cal.App.4th at pp. 947-948,
*212Additionally, as with forfeiture, it seems equally inappropriate to sua sponte raise standing, an argument not made by the People in the trial court (or in their appellate briefing), and at the same time affirm the search condition here on a ground not raised by the prosecution or litigated in the trial court-that the condition is reasonably related to the condition that defendant obey all laws.
In any event, the rules related to standing have no application here,
*11693. Privacy Rights and Third Party Privacy Rights in General
Privacy is an important constitutional right. Article I, section 1 of the California Constitution provides: "All people are by nature free and independent and have inalienable rights. Among these are enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining safety, happiness, and privacy ." (Italics added.) The ballot argument put before the voters in connection with the electorate's enactment of this constitutional provision included "broad references to a 'right to be left alone,' calling it a 'fundamental and compelling interest,' and purporting to include within its dimensions no less than 'our homes, our families, our thoughts, our emotions, our expressions, our personalities, our freedom of communion, and our freedom to associate with the people we choose .' " ( Hill v. National Collegiate Athletic Assn. (1994)
In ordering electronic search conditions, courts should not impair the privacy rights of third parties unless there is a compelling state interest that outweighs the privacy rights of the third parties. Thus, where the privacy rights of third parties are implicated in electronic search conditions, courts should engage in a balancing analysis. While exposing and prosecuting crime is a legitimate public interest ( *213Baughman v. State of California (1995)
4. Privacy Rights of the Victim
No regard was given by the prosecution and the trial court here to the privacy rights of the victim, defendant's wife. Yet she clearly has a privacy interests in jointly owned electronic devices and electronic devices belonging to her over which defendant might be considered by an officer to have "control" by virtue of his proximity to it or its location. Additionally, *1170communications between defendant and the victim that might be found on defendant's electronic devices also implicate her privacy rights. The electronic search condition here allows probation officers and law enforcement to review intimate communications between a husband and wife based on the off chance that defendant might write something that violates the peaceful contact order. Additionally, such intimate communications may involve communication of a sexual nature, in which case the search condition could result in an intrusion into the victim's sexual privacy. (See Boler v. Superior Court (1987)
Also, the law is clear that the victim has a privacy interest in her personal financial records to which the search condition might provide access on her electronic devices over which defendant might have control. (See Babcock v. Superior Court (1994)
Additionally, Proposition 9, the Victims' Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsy's Law (Prop. 9, as approved by voters, Gen. Elec. (Nov. 4, 2008) eff. Nov. 5, 2008) (Marsy's Law) made amendments to article I, section 28 of the California Constitution, "The Victims' Bill of Rights" ( People v. Hannon (2016)
Malik J., supra ,
The Malik J. court went on to clarify: "this does not mean that officers would have the unfettered right to retrieve any information accessible from any phone or computer in [the minor]'s possession." ( Malik J., supra , 240 Cal.App.4th at p. 902,
The Malik J . court then addressed the third party rights of people within the minor's household. The court concluded that because only the minor was placed on probation, only the minor could be subjected to the search conditions. ( Malik J., supra , 240 Cal.App.4th at p. 905,
Here, the victim's privacy rights are undoubtedly implicated and, in my view, she should be given the opportunity to be heard on this matter. Additionally, even if the victim provides no input to the court, the trial court must consider her privacy rights in its overbreadth analysis in this case.
5. Privacy Rights of Other Third Parties
Like the privacy rights of the victim, the privacy rights of other third parties are implicated by a search condition authorizing access to the communications such third parties have with defendant as well as searches of electronic devices owned by those third parties over which defendant may have "control." While there is no evidence of defendant using computers outside of the home (for example, at work), in my view, that is the trial court's failing for not correlating the underlying purpose of the search condition with the electronic devices to which defendant might have "control." (But see Trujillo, supra , 15 Cal.App.5th at pp. 588-589 [rejecting the defendant's overbreadth claim on the basis that the defendant failed to establish what electronic devices he owns or the type of sensitive information contained therein].) As for communications between third parties and defendant, these may be private, sensitive or confidential. Due regard for these interests should be given before an electronic search condition is ordered.
*1173B. Privacy Rights of Defendant
Although defendant's privacy rights are diminished because of his probationary status ( Knights,
The majority observes that, while the electronic search condition "serves the state's legitimate interest in monitoring defendant's rehabilitation," it also "permits unprecedented intrusion into his private affairs-and it does so on a record that demonstrates little likelihood, or even possibility, that evidence of illegal activity will be found in the devices the condition subjects to warrantless search." (Maj. opn., ante , at pp. 192-93.) This statement illustrates the problematic nature of narrowly tailoring the condition when there is no nexus supporting its imposition. It is difficult to conceive of a way in which an electronic search condition could be narrowly tailored where the record demonstrates "little likelihood, or even possibility, that evidence of illegal activity will be found in the devices the condition subjects to warrantless search." (Maj. opn., ante , at p. 193; cf. P.O., supra , 246 Cal.App.4th at p. 298,
Moreover, the electronic search condition could negatively impact defendant in ways that make it less likely he will successfully complete probation and become a productive, law abiding member of society. As I have noted, the search condition almost certainly will chill communications between defendant and the victim. Additionally, as worded, the search condition could affect his relationship with employers if he has "control" over a computer or other electronic devices on the job or because there are electronic communications between defendant and his employer, coworkers, or customers. The record is silent on whether defendant uses electronic devices at his job (or if he is even employed), but that is exactly the point. Before issuing a search condition, a trial court should make an effort to become aware of such information so that it does not impose a search condition that is both overbroad and counterproductive to defendant's "reform and rehabilitation."
C. Narrow Tailoring
1. "Control"
It does not appear that the search condition here is limited to electronic devices owned by defendant, but rather extends to such devises under his "control." In pertinent part, the search condition refers to *217"electronic storage devices, and any object under his/her control, including but not limited to cell phones and computers." (See fn. 7, ante .) Search conditions must be interpreted on the basis of what a reasonable person would understand from the language of the condition itself. ( Bravo, supra , 43 Cal.3d at p. 607,
As I have noted, the court in Malik J. suggested that electronic search conditions should not extend to devices owned by other members of the household. ( *218Malik J., supra , 240 Cal.App.4th at pp. 905-906,
Tailoring the search condition to limit it to electronic devices owned by defendant would address the problem related to the privacy interests of third parties who might own electronic devices over which defendant has physical control. It would also make clear to officers in the field the scope of the search condition. In any event, for an electronic search condition to be narrowly tailored, it necessarily must identify the devices to be searched based on the probationer's connection to those devices and the applications, data, and other items contained therein.
*11762. Additional Tailoring
P.O., supra ,
The court in Appleton, supra ,
In Malik J., supra ,
In a more recent case, In re Q.R. (2017)
The search condition at issue here is in need of narrow tailoring to appropriately balance, on one hand, privacy interests and, on the other hand, the degree to which it is needed for the promotion of legitimate governmental interests such as supervising defendant's probation and safeguarding the community. ( Knights,
In summary, among the individualized factors that the trial court may consider in imposing and tailoring electronic search conditions are the following: the justification and purpose for the search condition; what types of devices will be subject to search; whether those devices will be limited to those owned by probationer, in probationer's possession and for which he has access to the applications, data or other items officers are authorized to access, or for which the defendant is an "authorized user"; whether it is necessary to permit access to all information contained in the electronic devices or whether the search should be limited to specific applications, data or information; whether it is necessary to limit access to communications between defendant and specified individuals; whether the search may involve forensic analysis, including accessing data which has been deleted and accessing password protected data; whether it is permissible for the search to take place in some location other than where the electronic device is found; whether defendant must be present for the search; the privacy rights of the victim and third parties, and whether the scope of the search condition will be counterproductive to defendant's reformation and rehabilitation. This list is not exhaustive.
*1179IV. Conclusion
In my view, electronic search conditions should not be imposed as "a matter of routine," but rather only if deemed appropriate after consideration of facts specific to the case. (See Trujillo , supra , 15 Cal.App.5th at p. 583,
Further undesignated statutory references are to the Penal Code in effect at the time of the charged offense.
Section 1203.1, subdivision (j), provides in pertinent part: "The court may impose ... reasonable conditions, as it may determine are fitting and proper to the end that justice may be done, that amends may be made to society for the breach of the law, for any injury done to any person resulting from that breach, and generally and specifically for the reformation and rehabilitation of the probationer ...." (Italics added.)
I discuss these cases, post.
The types of cases referenced in the declaration include: "Drug Sales/Transportation"; "Fraud, Identity Theft, Financial Crimes"; "Sex Offenses"; "Human Trafficking, Pimping and Pandering"; "Domestic Violence"; "Weapons-Related Offenses"; and gang cases. (Italics omitted.)
"1546" is apparently a reference to section 1546, which is a part of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (Stats. 2015, ch. 651, § 1 (SB 178)) (ECPA). Section 1546 is the definitions section. Section 1546.1, subdivision (c)(4), allows government entities to "access electronic device information by means of physical interaction or electronic communication with the device. [¶] ... [¶] With the specific consent of the authorized possessor of the device."
The order also prohibited defendant from attempting to dissuade any victim or witness from attending a hearing or testifying or making a report to law enforcement.
The entire search condition as set forth in the written probation conditions signed by defendant reads as follows: "15. P.C. 1546 searchable-Defendant shall submit his/her person, place, property, automobile, electronic storage devices, and any object under his/her control, including but not limited to cell phones and computers, to search and seizure by any law enforcement officer or probation officer, any time of the day or night, with or without a warrant, with or without his/her presence or further consent. [¶] Defendant being advised of his/her constitutional and statutory rights pursuant to Penal Code section 1546 et seq. in this regard, and having accepted probation, is deemed to have waived same and also specifically consented to searches of his/her electronic storage devices. [¶] Defendant shall provide access to any electronic storage devices and data contained therein, including disclosing and providing any and all information necessary to conduct a search."
While the record demonstrates that defendant assaulted the victim, there is no evidence in the record that defendant "threatened" the victim and thus there is no factual basis upon which to assert the condition was necessary to determine if defendant was "continuing with his threatening" conduct. (Italics added.)
I discuss Malik J. post in addressing overbreadth and third party privacy rights.
Defendant notes on appeal that he has not been prohibited from living with his wife, the victim and that he, in fact, does live with her. However, the record itself sheds no light on whether the couple was, in fact, living together when the electronic search condition was imposed.
Of course, if law enforcement collects information on a third party by searching a probationer's electronic device pursuant to a search condition, the third party would have standing to challenge the search condition and the search itself if prosecuted based on the information gathered in that search. (See People v. Schmitz(2013)
Additionally, an argument could be made by defendant (if given the opportunity to make one) that he does have standing to object based on the privacy rights of third parties. To the extent that the privacy rights of those individuals relate to communications defendant has with them, defendant's privacy rights are also impacted. Indeed, as discussed post, discouraging communications with third parties could impair defendant's ability to succeed on probation and thus be counterproductive to his "reformation and rehabilitation." (See section 1203.1, subd. (j) ; fn. 2, ante.)
The minute order in Malik J. stated the condition differently, omitting references to the juvenile's family and social media sites. The condition in the minute order read: " 'Minor is ordered to provide all passwords to any electronic devices, including cell phones, computers or [notepads], within your custody or control, and submit such devices to search at any time without a warrant by any peace officer.' " (Malik J., supra, 240 Cal.App.4th at p. 900,
I also note that the reference to searching devices over which defendant has "control" is not necessarily consistent with other wording in the search condition or the very statutes upon which the probation condition here is based, the ECPA. The express language of the probation condition here states that having been "advised of his/her constitutional and statutory rights pursuant to Penal Code section 1546 et seq.," defendant waived those constitutional and statutory rights and "specifically consented to searches of his/her electronic storage devices." (Italics added; see fn. 7, ante.) Thus, it appears that defendant only consented to searches of his devices. Moreover, the ECPA contains provisions that are inconsistent with allowing searches of the electronic devices owned by other people simply because defendant might be perceived by an officer as having "control" over those devices. Section 1546.1, subdivision (c)(4), provides that "[a] government entity may access electronic device information by means of physical interaction or electronic communication" when "the authorized possessor of the device" gives "specific consent," hence the statutory reference to the waiver of defendant's rights under the ECPA in the written probation condition. Subdivision (c)(10) of section 1546.1 provides that government entities can access electronic devices "if the device is seized from an authorized possessor of the device who is subject to an electronic device search as a clear and unambiguous condition of probation, mandatory supervision, or pretrial release." (Italics added.) Section 1546, subdivision (b), defines " '[a]uthorized possessor' " as "the owner of the device" or a person who "has been authorized to possess the device by the owner of the device." Consequently, having "control" over a device as the term "control" is typically understood in search conditions, is not necessarily the same as being an "authorized possessor" within the meaning of the statute. Defendant may not have the authority to give consent under the ECPA to search devices owned by other people even though he might have physical control over them. However, defendant's objections to the search condition here are limited to Lent and constitutional overbreadth. Defendant made no statutory objection and any such argument is forfeited. (See People v. Cook(2006)
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.