What is the question presented in Lewis v. Illinois?

Whether the Fourth Amendment allows the police to conduct a warrantless search of a person’s cell phone to determine its ownership.

No. 19-7971October Term 2019Decided May 4, 2020

Docket 19-7971October Term 2019 (2019–2020)

Lewis v. Illinois

This case involves a petition for a writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court regarding a decision by the Appellate Court of Illinois, Second District.

Case Accepted

Arguments

Decision ReleasedMay 4, 2020

What it's about: This case involves a petition for a writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court regarding a decision by the Appellate Court of Illinois, Second District. The petitioner also filed a motion to proceed in forma pauperis.
Question presented
Whether the Fourth Amendment allows the police to conduct a warrantless search of a person’s cell phone to determine its ownership.
Case path: Appellate Court of Illinois, Second District / Decision released May 4, 2020
Area: Criminal Procedure

Grounding: Primary-source trail available.
Note: Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
Checked: Apr 6, 2026
Method: Methodology

Primary materials5