What rights does a warrant give the police?
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What rights does a warrant give the police?
The police came to my home with a warrant for some stolen game console they tracked from my internet. However I did not have this console at any time, but they had a warrant so I was put in handcuffs while it was searched. They found some marijuana that was locked in a safe and threatened if I didn’t give them the code they would break the safe open anyways. The safe was not on the warrant. So trying to keep my $500 safe from being damaged, I gave them the code. Inside there was some marijuana that I keep for personal use and I was charged with possession. Can they legally break into my personal safe regardless of what was in it? They also broke a window, lights, my back screen door, took a lot of my gaming equipment such as controllers, games, etc. and even my birth certificate and license. So now I have no license to drive unless they presume I should drive without a license and break the law and a lot of my personal belongings were seized due to some stolen things I did not have. Is this right for them to do?
Asked on November 12, 2012 under Criminal Law, Arizona
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
I suggest that you consult with a criminal defense attorney to assist you in the matter that you have become involved in. The presumed legal search warrant allowed law enfrocement to do what was done. You allowance of entry of the safe was permission for access and the taking of what was taken.
From what you have written about the taking was legal of the items you have written about by law enforcement.
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