High Court Mulls Warrantless Cell Phone Searches

Can police officers search through personal cell phones without warrants of people they've arrested? That is the question the U.S. Supreme Court is considering Tuesday.

The issue stems from a case where officers found evidence on the cell phones of two suspects held in custody that led to their convictions. The suspects, a gang member and drug dealer, are currently serving lengthy prison terms.

"The implications of these cases are huge," Orin S. Kerr, a law professor at George Washington University, said.

The court's final decision will affect 90 percent of Americans who own at least one cell phone. About 12 million people are arrested every year, according to an FBI report.