Warrantless Searches
Posted on Jul 11, 2011 7:04pm PDT
A common public misconception is that law enforcement officersalways need
a warrant to conduct a search and collect admissible evidence. The Fourth
Amendment to the United States Constitution protects your rights against
unreasonable searches and seizures. In essence, the Fourth Amendment states
the people have the right to be secure in their persons, houses, papers,
and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, and that no warrants
shall be issued, but with probable cause, supported by an oath or affirmation,
and stating with specificity the place to be searched, and the persons
or things to be seized.
There are several general exceptions to the requirement for a warrant though.
In this discussion, I will provide a general overview, but I will discuss
each of the exceptions in depth, in the future. The basic exceptions to
the warrant requirement include the following:
- As a search incident to arrest
- Consent
- Automobile search
- Inventory search
- Terry "Stop and Frisk"
- Exigent Circumstances
- Plain View
- Special needs
Each of the above general exceptions to the warrant requirement, have to
be supported based on the circumstances. For instance, Larry Law Enforcement
is in hot pursuit of Billy Bad Guy, a known felon. Billy Bad Guy runs
into his house, and Larry Law Enforcement runs in after him. Billy Bad
Guy has stacks of
cocaine and
drug paraphernalia lying on the coffee table. During hot pursuit, evidence of a crime discovered
while searching for the suspect is admissible. This is an elementary example
of the plain view exception. If you have questions surrounding your recent
arrest in Gwinnett, Barrow, Walton, DeKalb, or the surrounding area, call the
Law Office of Robert L. Booker today.