search-and-seizure legal-research
Was my house legally searched?
<p>A couple of months ago, I overdosed on an illegal drug and called an ambulance. I was honest and told them what I took. Two cops came with them and while I was in the ambulance and also in the ER 20 minutes later, the cops and the paramedics entered my house, presumably to investigate it for drugs, but they did not have an official search warrant, and they didn't ask for permission. The paramedics took some of my legal supplements with them but never gave them back.</p>

<p>Were they allowed to do this? </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>I overdosed on <strong>an illegal drug</strong> and called an ambulance. I was honest and <strong>told them what I took</strong>.</p>
</blockquote>

<p><em>[emphasis added]</em></p>

<p>You stated that you had possession, and had recently used a notable amount, of an illegal substance.</p>

<p>That is reasonable cause (or "probable cause" in some jurisdictions) for a search, regardless of a warrant, and they do not need permission.</p>

<p>For example, as <a href="http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-rights/searches-and-seizures-the-limitations-of-the-police.html" rel="nofollow">FindLaw.com</a> explains, in the USA.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>[p]olice may use firsthand information, or tips from an informant to justify the need to search your property. If an informant's information is used, police must prove that the information is reliable under the circumstances.</p>
</blockquote>
