Source: Common Sense
by Paul Jacob
“The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled 7-0 to protect the state’s hunting clubs from warrantless searches of their property. The Institute for Justice observes that the decision protects the right ‘to be secure on their land’ of all Pennsylvanians ‘and marks a final victory with no further appeal available.’ The decision is a big deal. For decades, courts have accepted the ‘open fields doctrine’ advanced in a 1924 U.S. Supreme Court decision. According to this rule — or rationalization — officials may conduct warrantless searches on any land beyond that which immediately surrounds a home. Even if the open-field land is clearly marked as private property.” (07/29/26)