A New York state appeals court says police don't need a warrant before placing GPS tracking devices on the vehicles of potential suspects.

In a 4-1 ruling, the Appellate Division of state Supreme Court declared it constitutional to place the devices on vehicles as long as they're in public view.

The court upheld the conviction of Scott Weaver of Watervliet, who was found guilty of a 2005 burglary and grand larceny.

Weaver argued that police violated his constitutional rights by placing a battery-operated GPS device on his vehicle's bumper without his knowledge. He argued the evidence from the device shouldn't have been admissible in his trial.

The court said it would have been inadmissible only if the device was inside the vehicle or hidden somewhere on the car.