The use of DNA evidence in criminal cases has proven to be more and more important in the past decade, particularly in serious cases. Up until this week, in order to get a DNA sample from a suspect, the suspect either had to agree to give it up freely, or else a warrant was necessary. Effective June 3, those days are gone.
In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court decided Maryland v. King, and thus changed everything. With a majority opinion penned by the recurring swing vote justice in 5-4 decisions, Anthony Kennedy, the U.S. Supreme Court gave law enforcement the authority to get a DNA sample from all suspects in "serious" offenses without securing a search warrant to do so.
