Privacy Law Commons^™

State V. Young And The New Test For Privacy In Washington, Michael M. Suga

Washington Law Review

In State v. Young, the Washington Supreme Court determined that the warrantless use of an infrared thermal detection device on the home of a suspected marijuana grower was a violation of Article I, Section 7 of the Washington State Constitution. This Note argues that the court's test for determining privacy rights under Article I, Section 7 is flawed in form and fails to achieve those goals set forth by the court. It suggests an alternative test for Article I, Section 7 privacy rights as well as a remedial prerequisite standard of proof in cases involving minimally intrusive surveillance techniques.