California Court of Appeal Strikes Down Law Requiring DNA Collection from Anyone Arrested for a Felony

The California First District Court of Appeal last week struck down a state law that required the collection of DNA from anyone arrested on suspicion of committing a felony. The Court concluded that the state Constitution’s ban on unreasonable search and seizure prohibited the DNA collection (by use of a cheek swab). The law was initially approved by voters in 2004 and allows for the collection of DNA upon an arrest – even before criminal charges are filed. The ruling could still be appealed and therefore, it is unclear whether law enforcement will immediately stop the collection of DNA from anyone arrested for a felony, particularly since the Court did not issue an immediate order stopping police.  The court’s ruling also recognizes that DNA is fundamentally different and more invasive than the collection of fingerprints.