When searching a laptop computer and news articles about prior sexual assaults, can police search the laptop without a search warrant?

California, United States of America

The following excerpt is from People v. Barton, G043659 (Cal. App. 2011):

Here, as we explain above, there were facts establishing there was a fair probability officers would find documentary evidence concerning victims or potential victims on the laptop computer or news articles about prior sexual assaults. That they found something else, search terms, is inconsequential. (People v. Kraft (2000) 23 Cal.4th 978, 1043 [officers may seize items not listed in warrant, provided items in plain view while officers lawfully in location they are searching and incriminating character of items immediately apparent].)

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When searching a laptop computer and news articles about prior sexual assaults, can police search the laptop without a search warrant?

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