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Appropriate Warrants?

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sasisfree

Junior Member
What is the name of your state? Washington:
Police Officers entered a residence on an arrest warrant for the owner. They arrest her and ask if there is anyone else in the home. She informs them she has a renter (rents furnished bedroom) who is in a back room asleep. The police go to the room that has a lock on the door but was unlocked, enter and observo a man sleeping. They observe a black item, possibly a wallet, in a pocket of a pair of pants on the floor. They retrieve the item and discover drugs in it. They arrest the man placing him in handcuffs (and in a police vehicle), and call for (and receive) a search warrant.
Are the police allowed to conduct these searches when they entered on an arrest warrant and had their party in custody?
 


CdwJava

Senior Member
sasisfree said:
Are the police allowed to conduct these searches when they entered on an arrest warrant and had their party in custody?
Generally, no.

Why do the police say they searched the pants and the wallet? It sounds like they may have asked him for ID, he said it was in his wallet, and they looked inside the wallet. If they just looked at the wallet without permission or good cause, then the search will likely be tossed out.

An arrest warrant does not otherwise give them 'carte blanche' to search the house. They can conduct a protective sweep, but not a more detailed search.

On the other hand, if the renter was on probation or parole, the search will likely be back in.

- Carl
 

out for blood..

Junior Member
This is to Carl...

You are the first I have seen that gave a sensable answer to someone's question, Will you please read "Wrong House" by Out for blood... under this forum and reply

Thanks a million!
 

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