The majority of drug possession charges result from a police search of a person’s property. In the United States, citizens have a reasonable right to privacy. Although police are authorized to search an individual or his or her property in some situations, they must follow certain rules and procedures when doing so. When evidence of a crime is uncovered during an unlawful police search, it is possible that this evidence will not be admissible in court. If you or a loved one has been charged with possession of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, or another controlled substance, it is crucial that you know the laws regarding search and seizure of personal property.
When Can Police Search a Person?
The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution gives citizens the right to be free from “unreasonable” search and seizure. However, defining which searches are reasonable and which are unreasonable is not always as straightforward as it may seem. Police can search an individual if he or she:
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