NACA Animal Control Officers Practice Test

What did the Florida vs. Riley (1989) case conclude regarding observation from a helicopter?

1. Naked-eye observation of greenhouses from any altitude is considered a search

2. Observations from 400 feet are acceptable and not considered a search

3. Law enforcement must notify citizens before aerial observation

4. All observations from aircraft require warrant approval

The correct answer is: Observations from 400 feet are acceptable and not considered a search

The Florida vs. Riley (1989) case established that aerial observations made from an altitude of 400 feet are permissible and do not constitute a search under the Fourth Amendment. The court ruled that if an area is visible from a public vantage point, such as from an airplane or helicopter, law enforcement does not need a warrant to observe it. This case emphasized the idea that if something is observable by the public without infringing on individual privacy expectations, it is not protected as a search. In the context of the choices provided, the conclusion reinforces that aerial surveillance carried out at this particular altitude, where the observation is clear and does not encroach on private property rights, falls within the parameters of lawful observation by law enforcement without warrant requirements.