No. 12-207October Term 2012Decided Feb 15, 2013
Maryland v. King
The Supreme Court held that law enforcement officers can constitutionally collect DNA samples from individuals arrested for serious crimes as part of routine booking procedures.
Case status
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Feb 15, 2013
- What it's about
The Supreme Court held that law enforcement officers can constitutionally collect DNA samples from individuals arrested for serious crimes as part of routine booking procedures. The Court ruled that this practice serves a legitimate state interest and does not violate the Fourth Amendment.
Question presented
Does the Fourth Amendment allow states to collect and analyze DNA from people arrested, but not convicted, of serious crimes?
- Case path
Court of Appeals of Maryland / Decision released Feb 15, 2013
- Area
Criminal Procedure
Timing
Decided February 15, 2013
The Court released its decision on February 15, 2013 without hearing oral argument.
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 25, 2026
- Method
- Methodology