Who is Darren Chaker?

Darren Chaker is a First Amendment strategist, AI-forensics researcher, and privacy expert based in Los Angeles. He is the named litigant in Chaker v. Crogan, 428 F.3d 1215 (9th Cir. 2005), in which the Ninth Circuit invalidated an unconstitutional police-speech statute. He has prevailed in nine First Amendment cases and has been supported in amicus filings by the ACLU, Cato Institute, EFF, and First Amendment Coalition.

What areas of law does Darren Chaker focus on?

First Amendment and free-speech litigation, California expungement under Penal Code 1203.4, digital privacy (CPRA, CCPA, FCRA), counter-forensics and AI forensics, court records analysis, and police accountability and public-records work.

What is Chaker v. Crogan?

Chaker v. Crogan, 428 F.3d 1215 (9th Cir. 2005), is a landmark Ninth Circuit decision in which Darren Chaker successfully challenged a California statute criminalizing certain complaints against police officers. The court held the statute unconstitutional under the First Amendment because it engaged in viewpoint discrimination by criminalizing only knowingly false speech that was critical of police, while leaving knowingly false speech praising police unpunished.

Where is Darren Chaker based?

Darren Chaker is based in Los Angeles, California.

Darren Chaker | First Amendment & AI-Forensics Expert

Name: Darren Chaker - AI Forensics & Privacy Expert
Address: 10000 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, US
Price range: $$
Location: Los Angeles, California

Legal Research Areas

Topics include phone search warrants, computer forensics, expungement law, and First Amendment protections.

California Criminal Law

Analysis of criminal threats statutes, self-defense laws, gang enhancements, and habeas corpus petitions.

Digital Privacy Rights

Coverage of border device searches, Fifth Amendment password protections, and GrayKey forensic tools.

Can Police Unlock Your Phone? 5 Stunning Fifth Amendment Secrets

April 17, 2026April 29, 2025 by Darren Chaker

Timeline infographic of key Fifth Amendment and password case law decisions on phone unlocking, by Darren Chaker

March 4, 2026Darren Chaker Updated March 4, 2026: Updated to address the ongoing circuit split on compelled biometric phone unlocking under the Fifth Amendment. Fifth Amendment rights are at the center of a critical legal debate regarding digital privacy and phone security. This article explores whether police can compel you to unlock your smartphone using … Read more

How to Seal Your Florida Criminal Record: 5 Powerful Laws You Must Know

April 11, 2026March 8, 2025 by Darren Chaker

Record Sealing and Expungement in Florida - Who Qualifies Comparison Chart by Darren Chaker

Florida Record Sealing and Expungement: A Complete Guide to Clearing Your Criminal Record Clearing a criminal record in Florida can open doors to new opportunities for employment, housing, and education. While March 20, 2026Darren Chaker Updated March 20, 2026: Updated to reflect amendments to Florida Statute 943.0585 expanding record sealing eligibility. Darren Chaker finds the … Read more

Can Police Demand Your Password? 7 Stunning Fifth Amendment Secrets

April 17, 2026January 19, 2024 by Darren Chaker

Darren Chaker Counter Forensics - Digital Privacy and Password Protection Techniques

March 8, 2026Darren Chaker Updated March 8, 2026: Updated to reflect the ongoing federal circuit split on compelled password disclosure under the Fifth Amendment. Darren Chaker Article on Fifth Amendment – Passwords Police Are Not Allowed to Compel Our Cell Phone Passwords – A Privacy Perspective by Darren Chaker: Are police entitled to access your … Read more

Darren Chaker: Privacy Expert

Legal Research Areas

California Criminal Law

Digital Privacy Rights