Iowa professor helps in Supreme Court case on thermal searches

A University of Iowa law professor is involved in yet another U-S Supreme Court case that could have nationwide legal implications. James Tomkovicz is writing a brief supporting an Oregon man who was arrested after police used a thermal camera to discover a marijuana growing operation in his home. An officer sitting outside the man’s home used the thermal camera to detect extra heat created by the growing operation. Tomkovicz believes it was an illegal search.Tomkovicz says allowing the use of the device gives police free reign to look into anyone’s home.Tomkovicz has been on the winning side in two other Supreme Court cases. One case involved a Newton, Iowa man who claimed police couldn’t search his car just because they stopped him for speeding. The U-of-I professor says this case could be tougher to win as lower courts have ruled in against the defendant.The other two cases were decided unanimously in the favor of Tomcovicz’s side. He’s just hoping to get a favorable ruling this time.Tomkovicz says his brief will add support to the Oregon man’s arguments. He says the case should be heard by the High Court in January.