Summary:
Almost every child born in the United States undergoes state-mandated newborn screening. For each state, a small blood sample is collected from each newborn within 48 hours of birth and sent to a laboratory for testing for a panel of genetic disorders.
Law enforcement can sidestep the Constitution when it obtains infant blood without a warrant. For example, in New Jersey, instead of seeking a warrant for which officers did not have probable cause, the State Police subpoenaed the testing program to obtain the blood sample of a child, now nine years old, whose father was suspected of committing a sexual assault on a person who was not the child. DNA analysis conducted by the State Police was later used as probable cause for a warrant to obtain DNA from the father, who was subsequently charged in the assault case. These violations of the constitution have occurred in other states, including California and New York.
What can we do?
- Motion practice & litigation.
- Public records requests; consider partnering with transparency experts, advocacy groups and/or journalists.
- Public awareness.
- Partnership with security, privacy, consumer affairs groups.
- Legislative outreach.
- Order this full 1-hour Webinar Masterclass!
DATES: Available any time; registrants will have access for 30 days after purchase
COST: $9.99
DURATION: Approx. 1 hour
CLE Credit: No CLE credit available
Speaker: New Jersey Public Defender, Jennifer Sellitti
WATCH A FREE 8-minute Preview before purchasing HERE.
Are you interested in additional training on Forensic Science in the Law?: Purchase the complete 13-hour Masterclass with 13 hours of CLE credit, visit: https://bit.ly/3Td90m5
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