6th Circuit: Inspection by Property Tax Assessor Is Not a 4th Amendment Search

Interesting opinion today from the Sixth Circuit:  Widgren v. Maple Grove Township, No. 04-2189 (6th Cir. 11/17/05), holding that "a property assessor does not conduct a Fourth Amendment search by entering the curtilage for the tax purpose of naked-eye observations of the house’s plainly visible exterior attributes and dimensions - all without touching, entering or looking into the house."  (Hat Tip: Howard Bashman via my friend and colleague Ingrid Wuerth.)