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Can Police or Prosecutors Get into Your iPhone in a Criminal Case?

Posted by Ronald D. Hedding, ESQ. | Feb 11, 2021

The answer to this question is intriguing. iPhones, with their advanced technology, typically safeguard your privacy. Unless they have your passcode, the police and prosecutors are unable to breach the security of your iPhone, ensuring your data remains private.

They can get a search warrant, which they are required to do if they want to search your iPhone, but most of the time, they are not able to do that.

Apple typically does not and has not cooperated with them in terms of allowing them to search for an iPhone related to a criminal case in Los Angeles.

New Technology to Extract Information

However, recently, I've seen technology in many of these cases. Private companies have programs and software that can take the SIM card out of the iPhone and extract certain information from it.

Can Police or Prosecutors Get into Your iPhone in a Criminal Case?
Police and prosecutors can't normally get access to information in your iPhone.

In addition, they can also plug into your power source on the iPhone and extract most, if not all, of the information for text messaging and other related data. Right now, the defense, at least from my standpoint, is challenging this because the question becomes:

  • how do we know that the program that they're using to extract the information is reliable and accurate?
  • how do we know it gets all of the information?

That is one of the biggest issues that I see from a defense standpoint regarding cellphone evidence related to extracting data from an iPhone.

I've seen problems with them getting that information, and they often pursue it unless they feel they really need it and it's a very serious case.

Even when they do go after it, depending on what brand of iPhone you're talking about, there may be some other issues related to that.

Criminal Defense for California Crimes

So, if you or a loved one is charged with a criminal case in Los Angeles, there may be iPhone evidence that they're trying to use against that person.

If you're worried that they might attempt to extract information from your iPhone that could potentially incriminate you, it's crucial to have an attorney by your side to protect your rights and ensure a fair trial.

With nearly 30 years of experience, including working for the DA's office and serving as a Superior Court Judge since 1994, I bring a wealth of knowledge and insight to every case.

I've been a private criminal defense attorney — one of the top in Los Angeles.

I'm looking forward to meeting you. If you need help with a criminal case, call and ask for a meeting with Ronald Hedding.

Hedding Law Firm is a top-ranked criminal defense law firm located in the San Fernando Valley at 16000 Ventura Blvd #1208 Encino, CA 91436.

We serve clients in all Southern California courts, including those in LA, Orange, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Hollywood, Riverside, and San Bernardino. Contact our firm for a free case evaluation at (213) 542-0979.

About the Author

Ronald D. Hedding, ESQ.
Ronald D. Hedding, ESQ.

Ronald D. Hedding, Esq., is the founding member of the Hedding Law Firm. Mr. Hedding has an extensive well-rounded legal background in the area of Criminal Law. He has worked for the District Attorney's Office, a Superior Court Judge, and as the guiding force behind the Hedding Law Firm. His multi-faceted experience sets Mr. Hedding apart and puts him in an elite group of the best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Southern California.

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