why can police who have a warrant come on property and seize your vechicles?
110730
Usually it is a company that repos vehicles, when you don't pay the monthly payment.  They have the right, as long as it is in the driveway, and not garaged.\nIf it is the police, then you probably know the answer, or, someone in your house does, for sure.
589569
if they are then they have a warrant and there must be a very good reason for doing so.  if they do it illegally then it just ruins their case against the suspect
624973
Because society keeps coming up with new reasons to lock people up.  Used to be, two guys get into a fight, the police show up tell everyone to cool off and go home.  Now they are both locked up and must somehow find money for an attorney to defend them against charges of assault, assault with intent, making terrorist threats, etc.  Used to be we had peace officers, now we have law enforcers.  Completely different mindset.  We are a vindictive people who want to see everyone (except ourselves) punished to the fullest extent, for the most petty of infractions.
62323
Suggest you go to DVMen.org for discussions of how the emergency protection/restraining order system is set up and has been used and abused.  Police can usually arrest where there is probable cause, and that can be established by statements of "victims."
1181459
You've written an awful lot of stuff here just to ask if the cops can pull someone over for "no reason."\n\nDoubtful.  \n\nIf the state you're writing about has a law that allows police to stop vehicles to check for current insurance (and for no other reason), then I would have to say the police can do that.  \n\nIf there's no such law in your state that allows that, it's going to be every bit as impossible to give you a good answer as Van Winkle says (and his was generally a very good answer).  You don't have anywhere near all the facts, so there's no way you can present them to anyone to get a decent answer.  \n\nAs for all the other stuff you wrote, did you have a question about it?  I see plenty of answers, but you never asked any questions.\n\nDon't get overly excited when you read people's answers here talking about search and seizure issues because based on what you wrote here, I doubt there are any.  \n\nPost more if you want to know more.\n\nEDIT 6.11.06:\n\nWow!\n\nOkay, let's see what we can do here.\n\nNeed to know what state you're in.  Sorry I didn't mention that before, I should have.  States have different laws, and the very best answer will come to you from someone who knows that State's law on these issues.  However, these are mostly constitutional questions, so I can probably give you some decent answers (because the Constitution applies in all states).\n\n1.  Generally, yes.  If it's stolen, it's contraband, and nobody has the right to possess contraband.  It would be like trying to argue that the police couldn't take your heroin without a warrant or consent...they can, because it's contraband.  NOTE: this is only as to the seizure of the item, not the search.  \n\n2.  Almost impossible to answer.  Really, none of these questions are all that "answerable," without knowing exactly what the facts were.  There are times when the police can enter uninvited and without a warrant, and there are times they cannot.  I wish I could go into this more with you, but you're talking about hours and hours of search and seizure law here, to be able to cover all the possibilities.\n\n3.  Your family can always file a complaint with the officer's employer.  I have no idea what the outcome of that could be, of course.\n\n4.  I don't know how you know "for sure" some of the property wasn't stolen, so it's difficult to address this.  Assuming you really do know the status of the property you're referring to, you should contact the law enforcement agency that seized the property and give them a statement as to the status of the property.  Do not waste your time by telling them things like, "it's my brother's, and my brother would never steal anything" or, "the neighbor gave it to my brother last year and my neighbor wouldn't have stolen it" because you just don't know those things to be 100% factual.  Perfectly innocent people can sometimes trade or give away stolen property without knowing it, but it doesn't mean the property isn't every bit as stolen.\n\nYou've repeatedly said that you stay out of the drama (wise decision, by the way), so I'm guessing that you really don't have all the facts.  If you weren't there at the time all this happened, you really aren't in a good position to know all the intimate details for certain, and it's the details that can really make a difference.  \n\nI don't know for sure that it's working, but if you'd like you're welcome to click on my avatar-thingy up there and contact me for some more discussion on this issue.  It's probably about to be beaten to death here, and I admire the reasonable tone of your questions.
930751
If police knock and ask to enter your home, you may refuse to admit them without a warrant signed by a judge with one exception — in some emergency situations (like when a person is screaming for help inside, or when the police are chasing someone) officers are allowed to enter and search your home without a warrant. Also they Can enter if there has been a question about your well being. Meaning someone has called and stated they haven't heard from you in some time and are concerned. Hey using a key is much better than replacing a busted down door.
105967
not without a warrant, 4th ammendment:\n\nThe right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
600679
Not sure about California, but in many states, the arresting agency can seize anything used in drug related activities, including vehicles, money, laptops, phones, etc.
190562
if the cop has suspision of you doing something or carrying something in your purse then yes but he Must ask you for permission b4 doing so. it is your right to refuse & tell him to get a warrant to search your purse.
371588
As an ex cop I can assure that they can in certain cases. Most officers search you to check for weapons and if they find drugs in the process, then it's a valid charge. There are some places where they have to have your consent to search, like your home but if it's your vehicle and you're arrested they have to inventory the car so that is a valid search. If they have probable cause like seeing marijuana or something in plain view, then you can be arrested. If they stop you and want to look in your trunk, unless there exigent circumstances, like they think theres a person you're holding captive in there or an animal, then they can search without a warrant. A pat-down search is legal for officer safety reasons. To search things like your bags or glove compartment they need your consent again, unless you've been arrested. If they have reason to believe that you are going to reach for a weapon they can search the immediate area. Best thing to do is not to carry illegal things my friend. Cops are savvy and we take no chances. If you break the law, you deserve to go down but I do believe in protecting peoples civil rights as well. I always protected my prisoner's rights because I may to make a judgement due to the situation and what has to be done, but I am not judge, jury and executioner and most police officers try to keep this in mind. Even if I didn't like a person I'd dealt with before, I was still fair and respectful unless they gave me a reason to get tough with them. Good luck.
1046669
Nope-the police have to submit the information to a court. The court issues a warrant. The person is arrested.
518267
yes you have the right, and he has the right to secure a warrant if he has probable cause ( assuming he make a good arguemetive case or a superior does in front of a judge ) andthen only the with a warrant in hand search your car, he can also detain you ( you are not under arrest ) until the warrant arrives. And if after the search he finds nohing but has the warrant you can sue him, ( or the police department ) for illegl search if you can prove that the search, was suspect due to a lack of probable cause ( even if the officer thinks he has it ). the trouble is judges tend to err on the side o the police at times especially if he pulls you over in a high crime / narco trafficing area, he can pretty much argue probable cause basedon those factors alone.
678579
Its almost universally illegal, but enforcement varies from jurisdiction.  An arrest could possible arise, but there is a defense and you could sue the government for violation of constitutional protections (for an unlawful arrest).  See the dissent in Atwater v. Largo Vista.
1063100
First the police don't have to have reasonable grounds or reasonable doubt,  the police only need probable cause.\n\nNext possession of the drug does not require a court to prove how they got them,  merely being in possession of them is all that is needed.  You do not have to prove who he got them from, how they got there,  not needed.\n\nThe only link one has to have with the drugs, is that they were on the property in control of the defendent.\n\nSeldon in real life do police know where the drugs in a drug raid came from, only that they are there.
254700
Call the police department and ask them, but do it from a payphone . . . and wear your running shoes!\nOh yeah, what did you do that you think they issued a warrant?  You naughty girl . . .
999768
Actually, the police are trained in identifying plates and expiration stickers from other states.  If you are doing something suspicious or possibly violating a traffic law, you could get stopped and cited.
197117
If there is probable cause.  They have to see something in the vehicle, in plain sight to do so.  Same goes for a vehicle search, without permission from the person driving. Again, this hinges on if they see something in plain sight.  Otherwise, it falls into illegal search and seizure.. which is against the constitution.