NPR

Court Says Using Chalk On Tires For Parking Enforcement Violates Constitution

Physically marking a tire without a warrant is a violation of the Fourth Amendment, a federal appeals court ruled. The amendment protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures.
A traffic enforcement officer chalks tires in Arvada, Colo., in 2014. Physically marking a tire without a warrant is a violation of the Fourth Amendment, a federal appeals court ruled.

The next time parking enforcement officers use chalk to mark your tires, they might be acting unconstitutionally.

A federal appeals court ruled Monday that "chalking" is a violation of the Fourth Amendment.

The case was brought by Alison Taylor, a Michigan woman whom the court describes as a "frequent recipient of parking tickets."

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