The Supreme Court has struck down a Los Angeles ordinance that permits the police to check guest registries at motels and hotels at any hour of the day or night.
The 5-4 decision upheld a ruling of the 9th Circuit Court that vacated the law, saying it authorized unreasonable searches.
Most cities require the operators of a hotel or motel to keep a guest registry available for inspection. The Los Angeles city attorney's office said some of these motels become havens for prostitution, sex trafficking and drug dealing.