Opinion ID: 379528
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Use of Transponder.

Text: 15 Marin complains that use of an electronic beeper tracking device concealed on the person of an informer, without a warrant, constituted an illegal search. This situation is governed by our decision in United States v. Conroy, 589 F.2d 1258 (5th Cir. 1979), a case which appellant is unable to distinguish. In Conroy, we held that an informant's installation of a beeper on a vessel used to transport marijuana did not constitute an invalid warrantless search because the informant was under no legal obligation to conceal his whereabouts and thus transmission of the signals was not an invasion of the privacy of others on the vessel. A key factor was that the informant had a right to be on the vessel at the time the beeper was attached. Because there was no trespass, attaching the beeper did not constitute a search and transmission of the signals was not an invasion of privacy. 16 As in Conroy, this case involves a situation where the informant was not a trespasser. She had a right to be where she was. It cannot be said that a search occurred when the informant activated the beeper. Monitoring the signals does not constitute an invasion of privacy when one's movements are exposed to public view generally. United States v. Dubrofsky, 581 F.2d 208 (9th Cir. 1978). This situation is analogous to a case where an informant surreptitiously transmits his conversation with an unknowing lawbreaker by means of some mechanical device. The Supreme Court has held that transmission of the conversation does not constitute an invasion of privacy. United States v. White, 401 U.S. 745, 91 S.Ct. 1122, 28 L.Ed.2d 453 (1971). 17