Expert Witness Argues License Plate Reader Searches Need Warrants
In an opinion piece published on 12 August 2026, legal expert Andrew P Wheeler contends that law enforcement agencies must obtain a warrant before conducting searches using license plate readers, drawing on his testimony in Schmidt v City of Norfolk.
Andrew P Wheeler has published an opinion piece arguing that searches conducted via license plate readers should be subject to warrant requirements. The article, titled "License Plate Reader Searches Should Require a Warrant," was posted on his personal website on 12 August 2026 and subsequently circulated via the Hacker News feed.
Wheeler supports his position by referencing his role as an expert witness for the Institute for Justice during the legal trial Schmidt v City of Norfolk. The Institute for Justice is a legal organisation known for its involvement in privacy-related litigation, and the referenced trial concerned the use of surveillance technology by police.
While acknowledging his regular work with police departments, Wheeler emphasised the importance of ensuring that surveillance technology is used reasonably. He noted that this stance may be off-putting to some of his clients, but maintained that the need for judicial oversight in digital searches remains critical.
The opinion piece was distributed through Hacker News on the same day it was published on andrewpwheeler.com. The content reflects Wheeler’s personal views on the intersection of law enforcement practices and digital privacy, rather than establishing new legal precedent.
Specific legal outcomes or broader precedents established in the Schmidt v City of Norfolk case are not detailed in the source material. The article serves as an argument for warrant requirements based on Wheeler’s professional experience rather than a report on established case law.
