The Supreme Court prohibited the government from using electronic surveillance without a search warrant.

The administration of President Richard M. NixonNixon, Richard M. wanted to engage in electronic surveillance of dissident anti-Vietnam War and Civil Rights groups without having to obtain a search warrant. The government claimed that requiring warrants violated the separation of powers concept because it enabled the judicial branch to interfere with the executive branch, but by an 8-0 vote, the Supreme Court found the proposed activity would violate both the First and Fourth Amendments to the Constitution. Justice Lewis F. Powell, Jr.,Powell, Lewis F., Jr.;United States District Court, United States v.[United States District Court, United States v.] wrote the opinion for the Court, with. Chief Justice Warren E. Burger and Justices William O. Douglas and Byron R. White concurring. This decision was rendered just a few days after the infamous burglary of the Democratic Party national headquarters in the Watergate, which clearly involved electronic surveillance equipment.Search warrant requirement;United States District Court, United States v.[United States District Court, United States v.]

First Amendment

Fourth Amendment

Incorporation doctrine

Katz v. United States

Mapp v. Ohio

Nixon, Richard M.

Olmstead v. United States

Search warrant requirement