Danny Carroll rejects a warrant rule for real-time license-plate camera use
Kentucky state senator (R) running for reelection in District 2
“If you're doing real-time surveillance, what would be the difference between an officer following a car, or if it's on a camera, to following it with the cameras? So in instances like that, would I see a need for a search warrant? No.”
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Kentucky Public Radio report, published by Louisville Public Media, on a Sept. 3, 2026 interim House Judiciary Committee hearing on automated license-plate readers.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
At a Sept. 3 interim House Judiciary Committee hearing, a Cato Institute analyst recommended requiring a judicial warrant before ALPR searches. Louisville Public Media reported that Carroll called the cameras a tool that will save lives and solve crimes and said he was skeptical of a warrant requirement.
After the quotation
Rep. Jason Nemes and House Judiciary Committee chair Daniel Elliott said at the same hearing that they could support a warrant requirement with an exception for exigent circumstances.
How this statement is classified
Case context: Should Flock-style license-plate surveillance networks exist?
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is whether networked license-plate readers such as Flock should exist and be used. Carroll defended police use of the cameras and said he saw no need for a search warrant when they are used for real-time surveillance. We used Defended or excused because he supports continued use and rejects a proposed restriction.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Flock Safety
Should Flock-style license-plate surveillance networks exist?
Explore the case context, sources and public responses.
More from this case
Read the full case“Ohioans should not have their movements routinely tracked, photographed, and stored simply for driving on public roads.”Read statement
“Tennesseans should be free from a surveillance state.”Read statement
“We need to restore real limits, real oversight, and real due process.”Read statement