To make the story short, I was playing some session on bent in my dorm when I heard a knock on the door. When I opened the door two cops showed up and asked if they could search my dorm. When i asked them why, all they gave me was some vague answer like its for a ongoing investigation. I thought I would get in trouble if I refused so I let them search my room. After about 1~2min of looking around they just left. I really don't know whats going on right now or why my room was the only one searched on the floor. So basically what I am asking is: Will I get into any legal trouble for refusing the cops to search by dorm if this happens again? Any input would be greatly appreciated, thnx.

Sfydjklm

United States9218 Posts

November 19 2011 21:40 GMT

movies taught me to always ask for a warrant

Fealthas

607 Posts

November 19 2011 21:41 GMT

Im pretty sure they they need a permit or search warrant.

TheButtonmen

Canada1401 Posts

November 19 2011 21:41 GMT

Read the contract you signed for the dorms.

You'd be suprised at some of the fine print included in them.

SinisterR

Ireland57 Posts

November 19 2011 21:42 GMT

Isn't a University a public place (by law)? Think there may be different conditions then. Other than that I don't see any reason to reject if you're not doing anything else or if you've got nothing to hide.

EDIT: What the guy above me said.

amd098

Korea (North)1366 Posts

November 19 2011 21:42 GMT

yea find out what the contract says for the dorm

forgotten0ne

United States951 Posts

November 19 2011 21:42 GMT

I can almost guarantee your dorm contract negates that right. They usually allow themselves full permission for search and seizure at their disposal.

For instance, when I was in the dorms, my roommate moved out. The day after, they came in when I wasn't there, and took a bunch of pictures (to validate that the room had "appropriate living space" [ie my shit wasn't on his side]).

schmeebs

United States115 Posts

November 19 2011 21:43 GMT

If they ask in the first place then they don't need a warrant, even if your dorm agreement says you can be searched it would have to be by campus police most of the time in which case they would have some proof as to what the investigation is.

You can't get in trouble for telling the cops they need a warrant to search your belongings, they either will get a warrant or will have something else explaining why they don;'t need to (your dorms RA or something like that.)

Omnipresent

United States871 Posts

November 19 2011 21:44 GMT

Check the contract.

Most universities include a clause that requires you to allow campus or local police to search your room for any reason at any time. A lot of them even do it for univeristy owned apartments that they rent to students.

Always read your contract.

Scv4life

United States8 Posts

November 19 2011 21:45 GMT

#10

I haven't don't anything illegal and i have nothing to hide form the cops. It was just weird that they didn't really give me a reason for the search and also that my room was the only one in the floor to be searched.

Stress

United States980 Posts

November 19 2011 21:47 GMT

#11

If your dorm is owned by a University you might have no say in the matter because you don't "own" the dorm. I would check the contract that you signed with the University(or w/e establishment you are staying at). If the police ask you if they can search something it is not illegal to tell them no. Just be respectful and you shouldn't have any problems.

Skuller

United States197 Posts

November 19 2011 21:49 GMT

#12

I think dorms are a sketchy area, as opposed to actual houses or apartments. If you have any questions, I recommend you approaching either your RA or your RHD.

Even if its your right to refuse the search (which I don't think it is, but I could be wrong), it helps to have a person of authority (RA or even better, the RHD) present to back you up.

Politeness goes a long way. Compare "No I will not let you search my dorm because it is my right to privacy", to "I would like to refuse this search. Hold on let me quickly grab my RA or RHD to see if I actually can do that." The first response is offensive, (forces the police to either a defensive or counter offensive mindset), whereas the second one is more neutral.

Anyway, good luck in finding your answer.

tonning

Norway111 Posts

November 19 2011 21:50 GMT

#13

What if it was fake cops, like thiefs looking at you're dorm room to see if you got something valuable there?

RoosterSamurai

Japan2108 Posts

November 19 2011 21:50 GMT

#14

It was probably a courtesy thing of them to ask. Some dorms have tricky contract clauses.

Mity

Canada50 Posts

November 19 2011 21:51 GMT

#15

On November 20 2011 06:50 tonning wrote:
What if it was fake cops, like thiefs looking at you're dorm room to see if you got something valuable there?

Whoa whoa whoa, you just blew my mind.

Phailol

United States84 Posts

November 19 2011 21:52 GMT

#16

DO NOT consent to any searches without a warrant. They will NOT respect your property in any way

tonning

Norway111 Posts

November 19 2011 21:52 GMT

#17

On November 20 2011 06:51 Mity wrote:

Show nested quote +

Whoa whoa whoa, you just blew my mind.

Think i've watched to many movies :o
Did they have a police ID or something?

Disarm22

United States151 Posts

November 19 2011 21:53 GMT

#18

thats a tough one because technically you do not own the dorm and it is not your property so the warrant issue might not take effect. school contract might say you cannot deny a search. I would check with your school. Try talking to a trusted teacher or councilor.

sVnteen

Germany2238 Posts

November 19 2011 21:53 GMT

#19

pretty sure that they cant just walk into your dorm and search it
(at least im pretty sure about that for germany dont know how it is in the mighty law system (lol) of the USA)

cgrinker

United States3824 Posts

November 19 2011 21:53 GMT

#20

When we would enter spaces at my college there are two components:

1) Residence halls are exempt from giving notice about entering dorms. Essentially the law reads that the hall staff can come in whenever they want, and the hall will reserve those rights to protect your privacy.

2)Campus Police cannot enter your space without a warrent, though often if you say "not without a warrent" they will either
a) Have the hall staff do it, and then charge you through the campus conduct office or
b) Call a judge, have the RA's deputized over the phone, and then come into your space.

Know your Rights!