Our cars were searched because we were teens hanging out at a dock after dark, was it legal?

[Redwingsguy]

Me and a bunch of friends(around 7) went to hang out at this dock around town thats kinda away from all the city lights and stuff. Plus it was fun to shake the dock with 8 people!

As we were about to leave an officer pulled up and said that we could not leave. Then told us to step out of our cars and searched our cars(found nothing), then patted one of my friends down and squeezed his sack, I beleive that cops could only pat the people down for weapons and nothing else without a warrant or arrest.

And during the car search he was just throwing the stuff inside left and right. Didnt find a thing. Now was this search even legal? There was no warrant and I see no reasonable cause...

 

[Ns1]

<< There was no warrant and I see no reasonable cause... >>



i think you answered your own question

 

[d33pt]

no you did not have to let them search your car.. they acted illegally because they figured you were a bunch of punk kids that don't know your rights.. did you get a badge# or name? complain to the dept about their actions...

 

[DrizztDoUrden]

You two missed a crucial issue, these were teens the cops stopped.

Was everyone under 18? Was the driver under 18?

Minors do not have the same Constitutional Rights that adults do.

 

[Redwingsguy]

no badge # or anything, but I guess this sorta things happens alot around here, I've been pulled over a few times in a summer just to check to see if I had pot/alcohol, then when they dont find any they try to get away as fast as possible, without even giving me a reason to why they pulled me over.

What should I do or say if it happens again?

 

[Redwingsguy]

<< Minors do not have the same Constitutional Rights that adults do. >>



really? where can I find the rights that applie to minors then?

 

[BlueApple]

Well was this a public dock? Were there hours posted? Maybe it was that you wee shaking it, which could be interpreted as vandalism. He was just doing his job, if you ever get robbed or attacked or whatever (which I hope won?t happen) you will be glad they are there.

 

[veryape]

As crappy as it is, that cop can use virtually anything as reasonable cause, and he will if you try and bust his nads about it. I cannot stand the way cops treat people sometimes, and there is never a damn thing we can do about it because the system is so crooked and screwed up. GRRR

 

[ToBeMe]

Yes, more than likely it was legal for him to perform a search of your vehicles........he may have watched you "shaking the dock" or, he could just say he had reasonable suspicion which includes a wide scope of cause. If you were doing nothing illegal, what was there to fear? More than likely, failure to comply would have given you a ride to the station and a call to your parents and the end result may have been worse!

 

[Redwingsguy]

<< Well was this a public dock? Were there hours posted? Maybe it was that you wee shaking it, which could be interpreted as vandalism. He was just doing his job, if you ever get robbed or attacked or whatever (which I hope won?t happen) you will be glad they are there. >>



It was a public dock, boat landing, and we were not shaking it that day, just thats where we usually meet up to talk over where we are going, and he approached right as we were about to leave

 

[Redwingsguy]

<< If you were doing nothing illegal, what was there to fear? More than likely, failure to comply would have given you a ride to the station and a call to your parents and the end result may have been worse!
>>



Well first its a waste of our time, even if there was nothing legal, I'd still like my rights. We ended up doing nothing that night because it killed everyones mood and ruined the whole night for us.

How can they take us down to the station for not consenting to a search?

 

[Bluga]

if you have been pulled over a few times than maybe you deserve it.

 

[FelixDeCat]

Teens are always up to no good and need to be harrassed every once in while to keep them in their place.

 

[ToBeMe]

<<

<< Well was this a public dock? Were there hours posted? Maybe it was that you wee shaking it, which could be interpreted as vandalism. He was just doing his job, if you ever get robbed or attacked or whatever (which I hope won?t happen) you will be glad they are there. >>



It was a public dock, boat landing, and we were not shaking it that day, just thats where we usually meet up to talk over where we are going, and he approached right as we were about to leave >>




<< Me and a bunch of friends(around 7) went to hang out at this dock around town thats kinda away from all the city lights and stuff. Plus it was fun to shake the dock with 8 people! >>


Is it just me........or did you just change your story............ I don't really care either way, but, if it was that night, or another, perhaps it was a problem in the area with kids doing that and the police have decided to try and put a stop to your visits by doing this!

 

[ToBeMe]

<< How can they take us down to the station for not consenting to a search? >>


It's reffered to as "Failure To Comply"....................

 

[yellowvespa]

Let me let you in on something. The policeman/woman never had any intention to arrest or charge you with anything. He may have recognized you or the car. The search of the car, even if the police found a six pack in the car would have resulted in a stern warning and a boot in the butt to get out of there. Had the police noticed a pot odor then you would have been asked about the search. The cop was a friendly just giving you a lesson and from the onset had every intention to send you packing after making sure all was well.

 

[Redwingsguy]

<< if you have been pulled over a few times than maybe you deserve it. >>



how do you figure? I never had anything in any of those cases, and one of them started when a cop pulled next to me, shined his fog light into my face, then pulled me over.

 

[StageLeft]

If your side of the story is here totally accurate in the future (since you've already been bugged by them a few times) why don't you do yourself a favor and:

1) Ask him why he is searching the car? He needs reasonable suspicion. If he gives one remember what it is.
2) MOST IMPORTANT get his/her badge number or car number. Then IF you think you were being mistreated you can call the police station and talk to somebody about it.

Without asking him why he wants to search the car and without getting his badge number there is jack all you can do.