A few questions about confrontations with the Police?

Question

1. If you are walking on the street, doing absolutely nothing suspicious or illegal, can the police search your bag, etc?

2. If you are doing something mildy wrong, such as being in the public park after it closes, can the police search your bag, etc?

Answer 1

If you are walking down the street and doing nothing wrong, then no, they cannot search your bag.

It is when we ask, "hey, where are you headed" and you become nervous, and start telling lies, looking in all types of directions, etc. that we gain the ability to look in that bag.  The point being, if you were not doing anything wrong, you would act normal, and we would suspect nothing, resulting in you being on your way.

If you are in a public place after closing, then we cannot search you or the bag, unless you are under arrest, which could be possible, but usually not.  If you are just given a summons, then no, only if you say O.K.  But if you have nothing to hide, then we can see this, and you will not display any of the above clues, which you will again, be on your way.  I hope this helped.

Answer 2

They can stop you and ask you question. They can also ask you if they can search your bag. If you say no, that may make them more suspicious, and thus a lot more question, lots more. Maybe even a trip down to the station. Now, of course if you are on probation, then they can search anything and everything they want to, no questions asked.

Answer 3

Thanks for asking this question.

Answer 4

They can stop you and ask question's, if you act suspiciously then yes they can search you, or if they don't believe the information you re giving is true they can detain you until they find out who you really are.

Answer 5

No ,  but they can ask you if they can search your bag. That being said it was common practice under Rudy in NYC for the police to stop and search people for standing on a corner.

Perhaps , if the park was a place known for drug use or other criminal activity

Answer 6

1. Probably not. The police need probable cause to do a search. However, they can do a protective search with only a reasonable suspicion (Terry v. Ohio). However, the fact you are doing nothing wrong is not what the court looks at. They look at your actions. If a reasonable person would suspect illegal activity, you could be stopped and questioned.

2. Any time you commit any act that could result in you being taking into custody, they can do a search incident to arrest. "Mildly wrong" is not a legal term. It is still wrong.

Search and seizure laws are covered by the Fourth Amendment, and will be the same in every state.

Answer 7

http://www.flexyourrights.org Go to this web site and you will see what cops can and can not do.

Answer 8

1. No

2. Yes

In #1 you have done nothing wrong? Thus far so no suspicion can be cast upon you?

In #2 you have violated the law to keep out and are subject to suspicion?