Author Topic: Police searches... (Read 492 times)

Victor3 · « **on:** September 09, 2012, 09:14:48 PM »

Other day I was talking to a Filipino kid (24, and a really good guy) at work about how he was pulled over for an incomplete stop and the cops searched his car after we left work at 3:00 AM...

"What were they looking for?"
"They didn't say. Just asked if they could look in my car."
"Do you have warrants or something?"
"Nope. Never."
"Why did you let them search?"
"LOL! What do you mean? What else was I gonna do?"
"I would have asked what they were looking for and if they didn't have an answer I would have politely refused."
"Well, I didn't have anything to hide."
"Did you enjoy having your car picked trhough while you sat on the curb?
"No! I was shaking the whole time. Never had them do that to me before."
"Then next time, ask them why they want to search. If they don't have probable cause or reasonable suspicion, the only way they can search is with your permission."
"I'd be scared to try that."
"Okay, then take off the goofy flat-brimmed baseball cap you wear crooked and wear long sleeves to cover up your tatoos. They may never ask to search your car again."
"I don't think I should have to do that."
"You don't!" And you don't have to let them search your car either!"

I'm amazed at how many folks will simply agree to a search of their person or property if an officer requests it. Even if a cop stops you walking down the street and asks if he can talk to you, you can always say "I'd like to officer, but I'm kinda busy right now" and go on your merry way.

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2012, 09:25:23 PM »

I've been in law enforcement since 1982 and I always tell people who inquire about it, "never give permission to search your vehicle!"

If the officer has a legit reason to want to search it, he can get a warrent, otherwise...no search!

Think about it......who did you give a ride too last, or let borrow your vehicle? You may be stone ininocent, but you don't know what someone left in you car without your knowledge! Aside from the fact that there are a few bent cops out there who will plant evidence.......Yeah, I know.....not likely........but it's possible!

Shu · « **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2012, 02:11:18 AM »

Officer why do you want to search my car? Do you have something to hide? No officer, I would like to know what you are looking for? What are you hiding? Nothing why do you want to search my car?

If they won't tell you, they can get a warrant. They will have to tell the judge. Stopping you for a brake light out or speeding does not give them probable cause to search. Be polite, ask what they are looking for. You can say no, and they have to abide by that. Be polite it looks so much better when you if you do have to go to court.

Your honor, the officer said he stopped me for speeding, then he wanted to search my car. I politely said no and he started stacking charges on the ticket. No your honor hr never did tell me why he wanted to search my car. The judge most likely will let you walk without the revenue dump. Be polite but be firm in your no.

turk762 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2012, 02:26:49 AM »

Its called a consent search and you give them permission. Like CC said, just say no and go on your merry way. They may get a dog to do a quick sniff of the outside but cant hold for a unreasonable amount of time (time it takes to write a ticket or warning).

yellowtail3 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2012, 02:30:48 AM »

thank the War on (some) Drugs for cops wanting to search your vehicle.

Absolutely no. Well... maybe if they offer a quid pro quo - "Mr Yellowtail, I'll not write you the ticket for 133 in a 55 that I just witnessed, if you'll just let me look under the seat of your bike" - maybe. But generally? No a prayer they're gonna search my car without a warrant. Further... don't talk to them once they start asking any questions of you.

an oldie but a goodie:

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guzzijohn · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2012, 02:47:15 AM »

Or the other great line when asked why do you want to search my care:
It is for both mine and your safety.
GuzziJohn

powderman · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2012, 05:56:14 AM »

I've never been asked that, but then again I've never been stopped for a traffic violation, oops, yes once, a tail light out.
I get paranoid driving in commie ILL. Too many Xs on the interstate I've seen cops going through cars throwing stuff on the ground while what appears to be families standing watching. I take the state hwys, not the interstate and have never seen that off of the interstate. POWDERMAN.

guzzijohn · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2012, 06:04:43 AM »

Back in the 80s I was stopped for having a tail light out. For some reason it took two patrol cars, must have been a slow night. I was even dressed in a suit and tie! Got one of the fix it in 10 days ticket.
GuzziJohn

Conan The Librarian · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2012, 06:22:04 AM »

He should not have consented to the search. The right thing to do is to deny the search, inform the officer that you know he is doing his job, but that you've been advised not to consent to searches without a warrant, and then politely ask whether you are under arrest or are free to go. At that point, it may escalate to a supervisor or dogs to sniff the outside of the car, but they will have the impression that you are defending your rights. Your car will not be searched unless there is probable cause to do so.

m-g Willy · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2012, 07:16:14 AM »

My long history of being in law enforcement (3 years) back in the 70's.
We had ways of getting the ok to search with the "You don't have anything illegal, so you don't mind me looking do you?"
99 x out of 100 they would just say "no" and that was our ok to do a legal search.

Conan The Librarian · « **Reply #10 on:** September 10, 2012, 07:32:30 AM »

m-g Willy:

What were the typical reasons for wanting to do a search?

m-g Willy · « **Reply #11 on:** September 10, 2012, 07:42:18 AM »

Quote from: Conan The Librarian on September 10, 2012, 07:32:30 AM

m-g Willy:

What were the typical reasons for wanting to do a search?

If stopped for a traffic violation and the person seemed a bit to jumpy,,
Or if they got mouthy, I could keep them there awhile just to p#$ them off .

Conan The Librarian · « **Reply #12 on:** September 10, 2012, 07:44:53 AM »

Seems reasonable to me. Thanks! I always wondered why.

guzzijohn · « **Reply #13 on:** September 10, 2012, 08:11:42 AM »

I get "jumpy" at any traffic stop even though I have a very clean record and my last moving violation was back in the early 90s. Give me a reason not to be jumpy when stopped. Once stopped not much is in your control and you have no idea what to expect from the cop, good, bad or indifferent.
GuzziJohn

Victor3 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 11, 2012, 12:58:04 AM »

IMO, before they ask to search they should be required to inform you that you have a right to refuse (barring any probable cause/reasonable suspicion). They know full well that many folks are not aware of their right to refuse, and are intimidated by police officers.

If they want to go fishing, tell 'em to rent a boat...

magooch · « **Reply #15 on:** September 11, 2012, 04:42:17 AM »

I haven't been stopped for years, because I don't do anything to be stopped for, but I've always tried to remain calm and remember that most cops are just doing their job. If you are polite and confident, the cop usually reciprocates.

On the other hand, I suppose it would be a good idea to have some kind of strategy figured out if the occassion does arise where you are asked about a search. As I said, I never have anything illegal in my vehicles, or anywhere else for that matter, but I would not want any of my vehicles torn apart because of a whim on the part of an errant cop.

guzzijohn · « **Reply #16 on:** September 11, 2012, 05:44:26 AM »

Quote from magooch:
"I haven't been stopped for years, because I don't do anything to be stopped for"

Lucky for you your skin color is not black or brown.
GuzziJohn

45-70.gov · « **Reply #17 on:** September 11, 2012, 06:06:09 AM »

in my case.....profiling is a good thing too

BBF · « **Reply #18 on:** September 11, 2012, 12:38:35 PM »

Quote from: Victor3 on September 11, 2012, 12:58:04 AM

......

......
If they want to go fishing, tell 'em to rent a boat...

Now you done and did it............being mouthy..........tsk tsk.

Curtis · « **Reply #19 on:** September 11, 2012, 01:22:59 PM »

My inspection sticker has been out of date since Dec. 2011, and I drive daily in the DFW metroplex. I guess they know I ain't up to nothing or I wouldn't be driving around with an expired sticker!

Curtis

Ranger99 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 11, 2012, 04:09:52 PM »

curtis , why don't you just "buy" a state sticker
like half of dfw and my neighbors do?

how many do you think have the required
liability insurance?

Curtis · « **Reply #21 on:** September 11, 2012, 04:16:14 PM »

Quote from: Ranger99 on September 11, 2012, 04:09:52 PM

curtis , why don't you just "buy" a state sticker
like half of dfw and my neighbors do?

how many do you think have the required
liability insurance?

Well, until day before yesterday my tires would not pass. I've got four new ones now. Now I need to get the parking brake fixed. Life kinda "took over" you know? BTW I will not drive on these here roads without full coverage insurance, including uninsured motorist. The UM has saved me more than once.

curtis

Ranger99 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 11, 2012, 04:23:46 PM »

that was kind of a joke.
i'd bet money (if i had some) that
i could check down my block and
i'd work up a sweat before i found
someone with valid insurance.
when i got my last sticker, the guy
inspecting it tried to say my lights
weren't working, but if i wanted to
talk about it, he might be able to
put a sticker on anyway. i pointed
out that nothing was wrong, and
he grinned and said sorry!

Curtis · « **Reply #23 on:** September 11, 2012, 04:28:21 PM »

Oh, now I get it ........."buy" a sticker! Sometimes I am dense.

Back in the 80s I caught a co-worker making forged insurance cards for his friends on the company copier. I told him "Now I know why my insurance rates are so high". He tried to pass it off as if it was nothing, but there is a real cause and effect. We all pay for those kind of things in real dollars.

Curtis

Ranger99 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 11, 2012, 04:39:39 PM »

the last two people to hit
my vehicle didn't have insurance
and hauled out when they knew
i was calling the po-leece.
i have the front plate off of the
one before last, i don't know
why he thought he would
"get away" with his plate in my
hand and having paint from my
car on it. $:-\$

Curtis · « **Reply #25 on:** September 11, 2012, 04:47:42 PM »

I got nailed at an intersection by a lady in a borrowed car. Neither the car owner nor the driver had insurance, and the driver's license had already been suspended for ..............wait for it .....................driving with no insurance! LOL Good thing for my uninsured motorist coverage!

Curtis