5 Reasons You Should Never Agree To A Police Search

[LongHairBri]

February 21, 2012 -Huffington Post

By Scott Morgan

 

Do you know what your rights are when a police officer asks to search you? If you're like most people I've met in my eight years working to educate the public on this topic, then you probably don't.

 

It's a subject that a lot of people think they understand, but too often our perception of police power is distorted by fictional TV dramas, sensational media stories, silly urban myths, and the unfortunate fact that police themselves are legally allowed to lie to us.

 

It wouldn't even be such a big deal, I suppose, if our laws all made sense and our public servants always treated us as citizens first and suspects second. But thanks to the War on Drugs, nothing is ever that easy. When something as stupid as stopping people from possessing marijuana came to be considered a critical law enforcement function, innocence ceased to protect people against police harassment. From the streets of the Bronx to the suburbs of the Nation's Capital, you never have to look hard to find victims of the bias, incompetence, and corruption that the drug war delivers on a daily basis.

 

Whether or not you ever break the law, you should be prepared to protect yourself and your property just in case police become suspicious of you. Let's take a look at one of the most commonly misunderstood legal situations a citizen can encounter: a police officer asking to search your belongings. Most people automatically give consent when police ask to perform a search. However, I recommend saying "no" to police searches, and here are some reasons why:

 

1. It's your constitutional right.

 

The 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects us against unreasonable searches and seizures. Unless police have strong evidence (probable cause) to believe you're involved in criminal activity, they need your permission to perform a search of you or your property.

 

You have the right to refuse random police searches anywhere and anytime, so long as you aren't crossing a border checkpoint or entering a secure facility like an airport. Don't be shy about standing up for your own privacy rights, especially when police are looking for evidence that could put you behind bars.

 

2. Refusing a search protects you if you end up in court.

 

It's always possible that police might search you anyway when you refuse to give consent, but that's no reason to say "yes" to the search. Basically, if there's any chance of evidence being found, agreeing to a search is like committing legal suicide, because it kills your case before you even get to court.

 

If you refuse a search, however, the officer will have to prove in court that there was probable cause to do a warrantless search. This will give your lawyer a good chance to win your case, but this only works if you said "no" to the search.

 

3. Saying "no" can prevent a search altogether.

 

Data on police searches are interesting, but they don't show how many searches didn't happen because a citizen said no. A non-search is a non-event that goes unrecorded, giving rise to a widespread misconception that police will always search with or without permission.

 

I know refusing searches works because I've been collecting stories from real police encounters. The reality is that police routinely ask for permission to search when they have absolutely no evidence of an actual crime. If you remain calm and say no, there's a good chance they'll back down, because it's a waste of time to do searches that won't hold up in court anyway.

 

4. Searches can waste your time and damage your property.

 

Do you have time to sit around while police rifle through your belongings? Police often spend 30 minutes or more on vehicle searches and even longer searching homes. You certainly can't count on officers to be careful with valuables or to put everything back where they found it. If you waive your 4th Amendment rights by agreeing to be searched, you will have few legal options if any property is damaged or missing after the search.

 

5. You never know what they'll find.

 

Are you 100 percent certain there's nothing illegal in your home or vehicle? You can never be too sure. A joint roach could stick to your shoe on the street and wind up on the floorboard. A careless acquaintance could have dropped a baggie behind the seat. Try telling a cop it isn't yours, and they'll just laugh and tell you to put your hands behind your back. If you agreed to the search, you can't challenge the evidence. But if you're innocent and you refused the search, your lawyer has a winnable case.

 

Remember that knowing your rights will help you protect yourself, but no amount of preparation can guarantee a good outcome in a bad situation. Your attitude and your choices before, during, and after the encounter will usually matter more than your knowledge of the law. Stay calm no matter what happens, and remember that you can always report misconduct after things settle down.

 

Finally, please don't be shy about sharing this information with your friends and family. Understanding and asserting your rights isn't about getting away with anything, and it isn't about disrespecting police either. These rights are the foundation of freedom in America, and they get weaker whenever we fail to exercise them.

[thanks2]

He forgot that time and time again police are caught planting evidence. Since police are the one enforcing the law, imagine how many get away with planting evidence. For every one that is caught, there are probably 1000s that get away with it.

[TheBeagle]

and what about when u say NO then the cop says OK I will get a k-9 to come out , and your a patient and have medication on you? or threatin to call in a TOW and tow ur car then get a search warrent..... they did this to me I said no to a search they said they would get a K-9 to come and or Tow my car,,,i finally gave in and said yea i had some herb on me..learned my lesson lol!

 

also now that im a registered patient,, if i get pulled over after picked up meds and they ask do you have any drugs etctect on you should i tell them im a patient? and yes i have medication in my trunk? or just say no? and when i say no...they will pull the k-9 bunny muffin k-9 will come find the meds? then what? present my card/papers?

[abe supercro]

You do not have to tell them about your patient status (at least not yet). If your car doesn't smell and you're not acting suspicious, you'll be fine. Perhaps "giving-in" to a search appears like it will save you a hassle, but the opposite may become the case.

 

Unless you are driving like a jerk, stand up for your rights. Tell the popo to step-off (politley and go find some bad guys for real.

[LansingAreaCaregiver]

and what about when u say NO then the cop says OK I will get a k-9 to come out , and your a patient and have medication on you? or threatin to call in a TOW and tow ur car then get a search warrent..... they did this to me I said no to a search they said they would get a K-9 to come and or Tow my car,,,i finally gave in and said yea i had some herb on me..learned my lesson lol!

 

also now that im a registered patient,, if i get pulled over after picked up meds and they ask do you have any drugs etctect on you should i tell them im a patient? and yes i have medication in my trunk? or just say no? and when i say no...they will pull the k-9 bunny muffin k-9 will come find the meds? then what? present my card/papers?

 

That's pretty standard operating procedure, to threaten to call in the K9. The correct response to this threat is, "I do not consent to any searches." 99% of the time, they are bluffing. They will say anything, including straight up lying to get you to give up your rights, and they are allowed to do so. You absolutely CAN NOT gain anything by consenting to a search. If they do bring in the K9, then search your car you are in no worse of a position than if you hadn't consented to a search. In fact, if you refuse to consent to a search and they conduct one any way, there is a good chance that a good lawyer can get any 'evidence' they find dismissed from court.

 

Be polite, be firm, understand and exercise your rights.

[Ezrah]

thanks for such a through post Long hair

[cheesewreck]

just say no.

[Hyhopes]

Very good read and one that needs to be reposted from time to time. There was a time that I had a link to an interesting video on your rights as it applies to traffic stops. It was really good and if I can find that link again I will post here!

 

Hyhopes

[restlesslegs]

Very good and I am proof they will "man handle" you in anyway possible and scare you do death to try to make you say yes. Say NO, Do Not let them in your home, Do Not step outside of your home. A vehicle is different I don't know the laws there but I do know you have a lot more rights when it involves your home. If at all possible listen to them, then politely say No but firmly do so and have a good day or have a pleasant evening and close the door, lock it up tight. Make sure the door you open to "visitors" has a way to communicate by way of having a lock between you and them.

[trix]

.

If at all possible listen to them, then politely say No but firmly do so and have a good day or have a pleasant evening and close the door, lock it up tight. Make sure the door you open to "visitors" has a way to communicate by way of having a lock between you and them.

 

Most important thing is make sure your door is LOCKED at all times, At the time the police served a warrant for my arrest I was in my living room they simply turned the handle and walked in. More importantly it could be used in court as not being a locked enclosed facility. Like they taught us in the D.A.R.E program way back when in school just say no!

 

I don't drive with more that a gram of MM if or when I leave the house, I can't afford to have my car impounded and all that comes along with encounters with police. sure not gonna invite them to search PT or not its none of there business. I learned that the hard way

 

Trix

[flyinstringbean]

And don't say anything except NO.And Never Just Talk to a cop.Keep Your Mouth Shut and you may get to go home!

[restlesslegs]

Most important thing is make sure your door is LOCKED at all times, At the time the police served a warrant for my arrest I was in my living room they simply turned the handle and walked in. More importantly it could be used in court as not being a locked enclosed facility. Like they taught us in the D.A.R.E program way back when in school just say no!

 

I don't drive with more that a gram of MM if or when I leave the house, I can't afford to have my car impounded and all that comes along with encounters with police. sure not gonna invite them to search PT or not its none of there business. I learned that the hard way

 

Trix

 

That is one he ll of a way to wake up!