Christian and Bridget Ziegler Vindicated in Landmark Privacy Case
Sarasota, Fla — The Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida has issued a final judgment in favor of Christian and Bridget Ziegler, recognizing the unconstitutional actions taken by law enforcement in seizing their personal data.
The case centered on three search warrants executed by the Sarasota Police Department, which targeted Mr. Ziegler’s cell phone, Google Drive, and Instagram account.
The court found these warrants to be overbroad and executed without proper protocols, resulting in the unconstitutional search and seizure of the Zieglers’ private information. Specifically, the court ruled that the seizure of over 250,000 photographs, 30,000 videos, and more than 1,200 text communications between the Zieglers violated their Fourth Amendment rights.
“We are thrilled with the court’s decision to uphold the constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures,” said Matthew Sarelson, Partner at Dhillon Law Group. “This ruling reaffirms the importance of privacy and the need for law enforcement to adhere strictly to legal standards when conducting searches.”
The court’s judgment mandates the return of all seized data to Mr. Ziegler and prohibits the Sarasota Police Department and the State Attorney’s Office for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit from publicly disclosing the contents of the seized materials. The ruling also includes a permanent injunction against the public dissemination of the Zieglers’ data, ensuring their right to privacy is maintained.
“This victory is not just for us, but for everyone who values their privacy and constitutional rights,” said Christian Ziegler. “We are grateful to the court for recognizing the overreach in this case and for protecting our personal information from being unjustly exposed.”
The court’s decision underscores the critical balance between law enforcement duties and individual privacy rights, setting a precedent for future cases involving digital privacy and constitutional protections.
About the Dhillon Law Group, Inc.
Dhillon Law Group, Inc. is a law firm dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to clients across the United States. With a strong focus on constitutional law, civil rights, and public interest litigation, the firm is committed to defending individual liberties and upholding the principles enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
Founded by Harmeet K. Dhillon, the firm has a distinguished track record of successful outcomes in high-stakes cases and is renowned for its vigorous advocacy on behalf of clients ranging from individuals to national organizations.
For more information, visit www.dhillonlaw.com
