Police Officers Overstep Their Rights When Searching People

3684 Words8 Pages

One of the main powers law enforcement officers carry is the authority to make citizens involuntarily give up their rights. Most people when confronted by police get mild to moderate panic reaction, can become nervous or anxious, and do as much as possible to limit the time spent with the officer. Due to the difference in power between a citizen and a police officer, citizens often unknowingly, give up their constitutional rights when an officer acts tough or bullies them (Guidelines?1). A common and almost everyday occurrence of this situation is the traffic stop. The common routine for this is as follows: A person is pulled over for speeding. The officer approaches the car and after checking the license and registration asks if they have any illegal weapons or drugs in the car. When the citizen answers 'no' the officer asks in the strongest most intimidating language that if he can check that for himself. The officer may say 'why don't you step out of your car' or 'then you would not mind if I took a look in your trunk?? Many people simply comply with the requests because they do not really realize that they have the right to say no (Guidelines?1). Numerous court cases have been held regarding the matters of not only police searching a car but searching your person, the bus or train a person is on and even that persons personal belongings such as a purse, cigarette cases or wallet without a warrant. A warrant is an absolute must to enter into your car home or property. These types of Police Officers Often Misuse and Overuse their powers when it comes to Conducting Searches on Persons or Property cases very often prove that officers may take their power to far and often on purposes (Search Warrants Explained 1... ... middle of paper ... ...stration. Ask if you are under arrest, if you are not and your license and registration are given back you Police Officers Often Misuse and Overuse their Powers when it comes to Conducting Searches on Persons or Property Should be free to leave (Your Rights and the Police 2). If you are given a ticket sign it, otherwise you may be arrested (What to do if You?re Stopped 1). As seen in this paper it is quite visible that police often misuse and overuse the powers granted to them by the courts and the Constitution. The reader can see that policemen take their powers to far and try to bully citizens into voluntarily giving up their rights granted to them under the Fourth Amendment. Court rulings continuously stand by the citizen and his or her rights. The Supreme Court especially has stated its issue on many of the things going on by police today (Valencia).

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