Dahda v. U.S. Oral Argument

The Supreme Court heard oral argument in Dahda v. U.S.. The case concerns twin brothers Los and Roosevelt Dahda who were convicted of leading an interstate drug conspiracy in Kansas. In gathering pre-trial evidence, the DEA was granted a judge’s permission to tap the cell phones of the drug ring; however, the judge who granted the request stated that even if the targeted phones left Kansas, the DEA could still continue to intercept communications. Lawyers for the brothers appealed the conviction, arguing that the judge’s order violated the Wiretap Act, which only allows for the authorization of wiretaps by judges within their districts.

On May 14, 2018, the Court ruled 8-0 that the wiretap orders were legal even though one of the taps occurred outside of the judge’s geographical jurisdiction. Justice Neil Gorsuch did not take part in the consideration or decision process of this case. close