Police Searching Through Mobile Phone - Legal?

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21 April 2015
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Police found me and a few mates walking one night and searched us all because they thought we were 'stoned'. Finding nothing, they then confiscated my mobile phone and read through my text messages. Was this within their right?
 

Rod

Lawyer
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27 May 2014
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What state are you in?
 

Tracy B

Well-Known Member
24 December 2014
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Hi Jimmy,

If the police suspect you to have committed a drug related offence, then they have wide ranging powers to search property on your body or in your possession/property, this could include going through your mobile phone and other electronic devices as this counts as "property".

It depends on which state you are in and the circumstances of the search, but there are situations under which police may search your electronic devices for information.