> The alternative There are far more investigative alternatives than few you have mentioned. Serving warrants rarely involves "bugs", and warrants are not the

> The alternative There are far more investigative alternatives than few you have mentioned. Serving warrants rarely involves "bugs", and warrants are not the only tool available. For example, a judge can order people to produce documents, enforced with the threat of contempt of court. Other witnesses can be found (with any data they bring), and simple observation of public actions can reveal a surprising amount. > so they'd know they're being watched So what. The warrant requirement is intended to be a burden to law enforcement. The entire point is that a civilized and fair society that follows the rule of law prioritizes the restrictions and procedures we call "due process" above the demands and desires of law enforcement. If letting some criminals walk free is a necessary consequence of the the rights retained by the people, then some crimes go unpunished. Anybody suggesting that we should accept punishing some small amount of innocent people as "collateral damage" is working against the foundation of a free society.