California Court Strikes Down Law Requiring DNA Collection From Arrested Felony Suspects

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A California appeals court has struck down a state law that requires the collection of DNA from anyone arrested on suspicion of committing a felony.

The 1st District Court of Appeal said Wednesday the state Constitution's ban on unreasonable search and seizure prohibited the DNA collection. The court was reviewing its earlier decision that also found the California law unconstitutional in light of a 2013 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld a similar Maryland law.

The appeals court said the Supreme Court decision did not apply in this case in part because of significant differences between Maryland's law and California's law. There was no immediate order stopping police in California from continuing to collect DNA for now.

A spokesman for the state Attorney General's Office said it was reviewing the decision.