Can your automatic gps location be used in district court when you make a 999 call

05-02-2025 12:10AM #1

When you ring 999 can your automatic GPS location that's sent in a text message be used from a 999 call in court as evidence. Can the 999 call and location also be used as evidence

Peregrinus · 05-02-2025 02:43AM

The fact that the call was made, and what was said in the call, and the number from which the call was placed, can all be given in evidence.

As I understand it, the approximate location from which the call is made is, so far as possible, identified at the time of the call (to assist in dispatching emergency assistance, if that is appropriate). I don't know how accurate this location data is, but it is certainly accurate enough to be somewhat useful. Off-hand, I don't see any reason why it couldn't be given in evidence.

Mellor · 05-02-2025 02:56AM

When you make a emergency call your phone AML data to help located you. It combines data from GPS, Wi-Fi, and mobile network to provide the best estimated location.
You can turn this off in the settings. But in that case the network data is still a reason marker. I see no reason why this couldn't be used it court. In fact pretty sure network data has been used to solve during investigations.

Green Peter · 05-02-2025 03:03AM

Its interesting as some vehicles now automatically report collisions to 999 by emergency text / message. Its likely this query relates to this and a subsequent arrest for DUI. Time of driving is an essential proof in DUI as the process has to be completed within 3 hours of the collision / driving. Normally an admission of driving by the driver or a witness prove this part.

Victor · 05-02-2025 03:07AM

To my knowledge, you can't send a text message to 999.

When you phone 999, they can likely see your phone number there and then. There is no text message associated with the call. They will likely record the call.

The authorities can access information about the call from the phone operators, but probably not in real time. That information will likely contain the mobile phone antenna(e) that were used for the call. This can give generalised information about where the call was made from. Depending on location, the accuracy of the location might be 10 metres or 10 km. To my knowledge, there will be no GPS-based information involved.

What may happen with so recent cars is if there is a serious collision, **the car** will send a message to the emergency services. This will include GPS-based information.

I can't see why any of this can't be used as evidence if required.

PixelCrafter · 05-02-2025 03:13AM

When you dial 112 or 999 your phone places a GSM emergency call, not just a normal phone call. There's a protocol in the system that treats it quite differently to just a phone call.

The phone will just connect to your network (or any available network) and place an emergency call. It doesn't actually dial a number like a landline does.

Advanced Mobile Location (AML) is sent, if your phone supports that - there's a full ETSI standardised protocol for this - it will either send it (invisibly) by SMS or over a HTTPS data transfer over the data network.

The service is baked into both iOS and Android.

It's nothing to do with directly texting 999.

You can btw text 112, primarily aimed at people who are deaf and use text-based communication, but it's fully supported.

https://112.ie/sending-a-text-to-112/

cml387 · 05-02-2025 10:12AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123135791#Comment_123135791

That's why people are urged to call 999 in an emergency even if there seems to be no signal, as the call will be routed by any provider available.

Mellor · 05-02-2025 02:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123135790#Comment_123135790

You are mistaken about there being no GPS. As was pointed out, AML includes GPS data. It's supported by Android and Apple since before covid. It's an EU requirement now

Claw Hammer · 06-02-2025 04:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058393726/can-your-automatic-gps-location-be-used-in-district-court-when-you-make-a-999-call

Any evidence can be given in court. The question really is whether the evidence is admissible. The first issue is whether there is a full chain of evidence and secondly whether the evidence such as this, which is hearsay can be made admissible. There is no particular reason why it cannot become admissible, other than whether the contents of the call can be adduced to prove their truth.

GerardKeating · 13-02-2025 10:04AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058393726/can-your-automatic-gps-location-be-used-in-district-court-when-you-make-a-999-call

Unless one placed a hoax 112/999 call, why would this matter?

micks_address · 13-02-2025 10:09AM

Was always told 112 includes location data where as 999 doesn't...

Peregrinus · 13-02-2025 10:11AM

The fact that there is an authoritative, third party record that you placed the call while at a particular location might give you a strong alibi in relation to a crime committed at about the same time in another location.

Or, alternatively, it might falsify the alibi that you have presented.

OP doesn't say whether they want the evidence admitted, or they want it excluded. Could be either, depending on circumstances the OP hasn't shared with us.

10-10-20 · 13-02-2025 10:20AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123135791#Comment_123135791

OT I know, but that's very interesting. I made a 999 call around 3 years ago for an injured party in my local area where I know that my home network was very strong in. It took around 3 attempts for the call to connect and was very slow to do so too. I had always wondered what was going on and that explains some of the oddness.

My last 11 999 calls were from my pocket when Samsung decided to change the method of initiating a 999 call to pressing the side-buttons 7 times. Ironically enough those all connected pretty quickly… 🤨 Luckly my phone also went into speaker mode and I eventually heard the operator shouting at me. 😖

PixelCrafter · 13-02-2025 11:20AM

You're actually best to dial 112 on a mobile as it triggers a GSM emergency call.

999 usually does too, but it's dependent on the phone's software recognising that 999 is an emergency number and not just dialling it as a normal call.

112 will even override the keypad lock.

Can your automatic gps location be used in district court when you make a 999 call

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