On Lee v. United States 343 U.S. 737 (1952)
ON LEE v. UNITED STATES 343 U.S. 737 (1952)
The Supreme Court held, 5–4, that government informers who deceptively interrogated criminal suspects and simultaneously transmitted the conversations to other government agents via electrical transmitters had not violated the fourth amendment or the antiwiretap provisions of section 605 of the communications act; the agents who listened might testify to the overheard conversations. Because entry had been consented to—although the consent was obtained deceptively—it was not a trespass, and under olmstead v. united states (1927) the intrusion did not violate the Fourth Amendment. It was also not wiretapping, nor did it become illegal because it might be immoral. The Court reaffirmed On Lee in united states v. white (1971).
Herman Schwartz
(1986)