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Why You Shoud Never Consent To Police Searches!!

Posted by Corey L. Scott | Dec 13, 2021 | 0 Comments

I have not done anything, and I do not have anything on me. What is the harm in consenting to a police search?

 

I am so glad that you asked that question because this scenario happens all the time. You get stopped, and the officer runs your information. Everything checks out, your license is good, your tags are good, and everything is good. Everything is good until the officer says, “By the way, do you mind if we search your car?” You entertain saying yes, after all you haven't done anything, and you don't have anything on you. What is the harm?

Here is a possibility, and something I have seen happen often in these situations. Suppose that you live in a family of four or five people, and maybe two or three people in the family drive your car. Chances are, you are not checking the car after every time someone borrows your vehicle. You have not checked under or between the seats. When you have friends in your car, I am willing to bet that most of you do not check in the back and in the crevices of the seats to see what they may have left behind. You might not have anything to hide, but maybe there is something in your vehicle that you simply did not know about. So, you give police permission to search your vehicle, and you are sitting in the front, feeling relaxed because you know this will all be over in a moment. That relaxed feeling lasts until the officer comes back to your window and you are confronted with something that is illegal. Before you can figure out what in the world is going on, you are placed in handcuffs. By consenting to a search, you have found yourself in a very bad and completely unnecessary situation.

There is another scenario that I have become familiar with. When you give law enforcement consent to search, there is a chance that in the process of searching they will mishandle your belongings. They are rough with your things, your stuff ends up damaged, and you are left with no way to get it fixed.

This next possibly I hate to even bring up, but unfortunately it is just a part of the world we live in. There are a lot of people in law enforcement who are just doing their job, but unfortunately, there are also dishonest officers out there. Some have been known to plant evidence in an unsuspecting persons car. Therefore, it is important, even if you have not done anything, to say, “Officer, I understand that you are only doing your job, but I do not consent to searches.” Do not worry about whether refusing makes you look guilty or not, stand firm in your decision.

I hope that this has been helpful, and I ask you to please share this information with the important people in your life. If you have any questions for me, call me, or send me an email. Until next time, remember- if you have to be guilty of anything, be guilty of greatness (and don't you consent to any searches!).

About the Author

Corey L. Scott

Corey L. Scott, was born and raised in East Chicago, Indiana. Upon graduation from East Chicago Central High School, Corey attended Indiana State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology.  Upon graduation, Corey accepted a position with the Marion County Superior Court, Juvenile Division where he served with distinction for the next nine years, eventually being promoted to Director of the Youth Counseling Department. Pursuing his dream of becoming an attorney, Corey attended the Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis.  While in law school, Corey was an Indiana Council on Legal Education Opportunity (ICLEO) fellow and participated in Moot Court competitions.  He also worked in the Marion Superior Court, Criminal Division as a bailiff and research assistant to the Honorable Tanya Walton Pratt, who serves as a Judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Corey also served as an internship law clerk to the Honorable Judge, Margret G. Robb, at the Indiana Court of Appeals. Finally, upon graduation from law school, Corey had the distinct honor and privilege to serve as a law clerk to the Honorable Justice, Robert D. Rucker, who sits on the Indiana Supreme Court. Corey then became an associate with Mike Norris Law Office, where he specialized in bankruptcy law with a main concentration on working to assist families obtain a fresh start through Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  Still a young attorney, Corey then served as a public defender at the Marion County Public Defender Agency.  In this position, Corey gained invaluable trial experience by defending clients in a wide range of matters from misdemeanors to serious felonies on a daily basis.  It was also during this time that Corey discovered his passion for representing and serving "everyday people." An entrepreneur at heart, Corey established the Law Office of Corey L. Scott, P.C.  Since then, he and his staff have served the greater Indianapolis community and surrounding counties in several legal disciplines including: Bankruptcy, Criminal Defense and Family Law.  In keeping with his vision, Corey L. Scott, P.C., is a client focused, results oriented general law practice that endeavors to provide legal solutions for "everyday people" charged with a crime, dealing with financial crisis or going through a difficult divorce. Corey has also been active serving the greater Indianapolis community by participating in pro bono programs such as "Ask a Lawyer," the "Modest Means" panel program which allows individuals to afford legal counsel at a fraction of normal rates, Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic and the Heartland Pro Bono Council program. Corey is a proud member of the Indianapolis Bar Association, Indiana Bar Association, American Bar Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.

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