The SCOTUS turned away appeals from two drivers who didn't produce ID or registration papers when stopped by the cops. One man said he lost his wallet, and the other, a teenager, acknowledged he didn't have a license or own the truck he was driving.The Supreme Court refused Monday to review police search cases that posed an important question for drivers: can officers freely search your car without getting a warrant if you don't show them identification or registration papers?
The cops took a look for themselves and found drugs in both cars.
Previously, cops were only allowed to search a car's sun visor and glove compartment for identification papers without a warrant.
Now, warrantless searches are allowed anywhere documents "reasonably may be expected to be found."
The court ruled in 1998 that lawmen cannot search people and their cars after ticketing them for routine traffic violations. Searches without suspicion of other wrongdoing are unreasonable and unconstitutional, the court held.
How many cops would like that one reversed, too?
I keep getting the feeling that police officers are always trying to "push the envelope" for searching people, their cars, their offices and their homes whenever they want, with minimal regard for privacy rights, undue suspicion or just the actions of normal, everyday living.
I get the feeling that cops would like to search my car or me whenever I step outside my house. Hell, I'm sure some would like to get inside my house, too.
Gene
[This message has been edited by Gene DeMambro (edited October 23, 2002).]