Do you consent to searches ?

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Last time I was pulled over was apparently for driving a nice vehicle with out of state plates in a small college town. They pulled me over for going too slow (the speed limit) which was suspicious. When I pointed that our, they decide I crossed the yellow line (didn't). Then decided I had been drinking and wanted to search my vehicle. I refused the search , but had to wait around for about an hour while a "supervisor" came to help administer the breathalyzer. Since I had not even had a single drink...they could not understand why it didn't show positive at all...and did it over and over thinking that they weren't doing it right. All the time...trying to get me to let them search my car...and see if "my story" changed. If I had not had a witness there my wife), I am sure they would have trumped something up and tossed me in jail (and confiscated my nice vehicle).

I didn't know you were black

[legion]

I sold my 951 to a guy in Austin, TX. I drove for 17.5 hours straight with only 10 minute stops for Mountain Dew and gas. The buyer was meeting me at my hotel to take the car off my hands as soon as I arrived.

My hotel was right across from the airport so I could wake up and fly right out the next morning. I got on the toll road to the airport and pretty much immediately had a state trooper behind me. It was almost midnight, I had out-of-state plates, and I was the only other car on that road. He followed me the entire length of the road. I'd pull over to pay a toll, he'd pull over to the shoulder to wait for me. I did exactly 64 mph for what seemed like an hour. No way in hell was I going to give him an excuse to pull me over and delay unloading the car and going to bed.

[asphaltgambler]

Sold my Chevelle a few years ago, close to $50k cash. The buyer was driving from South Carolina. I told to hide the cash somewhere in the ar where no one would find it. If he was pulled over, had out of state tags AND consents to a search the police will confiscate the money.

So dont speed, dont do anything to draw attention to himself.

[Arizona_928]

Blah blah me: I know you're just doing your job, but I don't consent to searches....
Blah blah police: I'm going to call a dog over.... Dog hit on your car. We're searching it anyways. "dog didn't hit on your car"

[Rot 911]

In the 30 years of practicing law I spent a bit of time as a prosecutor. Here would be my advice: if you’re getting pulled over for something you know you may have done, such as speeding, and you are absolutely sure you have nothing illegal in your car, consent to the search. Chances are the cop will let you go with a warning. If you decline the search, you can almost be guaranteed you’re going to get a ticket. On the other hand, if you know you have something illegal in your car, or on you, definitely decline the search! I can’t tell you how many idiots got arrested because they told the cop it was OK to look in the trunk of their car knowing they had a key of coke hiding back there.

[flatbutt]

This is tangential to a car search....police responded to a call saying there was a loud disturbance at a house near here. They show up, the house is quiet but they want to go in to check and are denied by the owner. They literally forced their way in, saw some herb on a table and proceeded to search by trashing the house. No charges due to the illegal entry but the owner hasn't been able to get a settlement for the damage the cops did while searching.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

^^^ yeah, that's why I've practically torn apart every used car I've ever bought. And cleaned it thoroughly. People are pigs.
I
The only time I would ever have to worry is with a dirty cop. YMMV.

Really? And how do you know which cops are dirty? Ignorance is bliss I guess. The real world I live in a filled with lying self serving bastards. Trust nobody and look out for yourself. Never ever consent to a search especially if anyone, even a mechanic, has sat in your car. Who knows what could have fallen out of a pocket not to mention, dirt cops who like to plant evidence.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I guess I don't live in your world. And I clean my cars on a regular basis. Who knows. It's just not a concern of mine.

[ramonesfreak]

I guess I’ve either watched one too many movie or spent too much time standing in a court room over the last 25 years. If a cop comes to my rescue because I’m being robbed, he’s a friend. If he pulls me over and wants to look though my stuff, he’s my enemy and I’ll force him to abide by the constitution

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

, he’s my enemy and I’ll force him to abide by the constitution

I consider anyone out to get me to be the enemy and will treat them (legally) accordingly. I think it's very weak to be automatically submissive to someone in a uniform.

[ramonesfreak]

Same here. There are many very good reasons why the 4th amendment exists

[69 Soft Targa]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

What if ? I found a large amount of MJ in a customers 930 when chasing down some electrical gremlins a few years back .
It was clearly really really old, and dry, but it would have been a felony if it had been found ..."

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

^^^ yeah, that's why I've practically torn apart every used car I've ever bought. And cleaned it thoroughly. People are pigs.

Very good point. You must know what's in your car. When going through the drivers door of my 912 I found some big pieces of foam rubber AND a small UPS zippered pouch with a needle and a spoon!

I doubt the prior owner knew it was there.

[RWebb]

I bought an RX-7 Turbo from an undercover cop once. BRIGHT RED.

Only later, did I realize I hadn't asked him if it had been confiscated in a drug bust, or used as a lure, etc.

Luckily - never had a problem, tho I did get some tickets.


I recommend never consenting to a search. Be polite! Also say, "oh Officer, our family attorney said to never consent to a search - I don't know why buy he's great at handling our estate!"

This tells the officer 3 things:
1. you do not consent
2. you are well off (and able to fight back & unlikely to be a criminal)
3. you have an attorney already

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by 69 Soft Targa

When going through the drivers door of my 912 I found some big pieces of foam rubber AND a small UPS zippered pouch with a needle and a spoon!

That might have been William Hurt's movie car from the Big Chill

[speeder]

If a LE officer asks whether they can search your vehicle, they are admitting right there that they do not have PC or any legal basis for doing so. If they did, they would not have to ask and they do not. They handcuff you on the curb or in the back of their squad car and tear your vehicle apart.

I am an old white guy and I've never had a police officer ask to search my vehicle in a stop, ever, but if I did have one ask, I would say, "The fact that you are asking for permission demonstrates that I have a choice and I choose to decline to let you search my property."

If they decide to search anyway, at least you did not give permission and yes, that has a legal ramification. I'm never carrying anything illegal or contraband in my car and it's kind of academic but I believe in exercising the rights you have as a U.S. citizen and cooperating w LE otherwise.

[GH85Carrera]

Slightly off topic:

One of my friends bought a 1970s 930 back in the early 1980s. He drove the car a lot and finally needed to do some engine out maintenance. He noticed a funny looking area up around the transmission. Come to find out it was a well done hiding place for a few dozen gold Krugerrands. He was real happy he decided to do the maintenance himself. Some mechanic might have forgotten to mention them.

I have been through every part of my car and doubt there is anyplace on it without my DNA on it. All I found was a beer bottle cap, and a few coins from the 1980s and paperclips and pens.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

What I found cleaning out an '80 SC.

[DanielDudley]

If a LEO told me he smelled MJ on me and he didn't, I would let him know in no uncertain terms that he was way off base. When I am pissed, I come off like a drill sergeant, and I cannot help myself. I have done it to a number of police officers over the years, and for whatever reason, they have always reconsidered their position.

I am sometimes worried that it will eventually bite me in the butt, however, that is just how I am wired.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by DanielDudley

If a LEO told me he smelled MJ on me and he didn't, I would let him know in no uncertain terms that he was way off base. When I am pissed, I come off like a drill sergeant, and I cannot help myself. I have done it to a number of police officers over the years, and for whatever reason, they have always reconsidered their position.

I am sometimes worried that it will eventually bite me in the butt, however, that is just how I am wired.

You should buy a USMC DI Campaign Cover (Smokey Bear hat) and keep it in your car at all times, just in case.

[Arizona_928]

Right^^^

You can't go full drill without the campaign hat.