Probable cause
Let me guess, they entered your apartment against your will, right?
I love this probable cause stuff because there are so many people out there that think they actually have rights out there aginst searches.
Here's my take on the subject (also have life experience on this one)
Reasonable suspicion:Facts or circumstances which would lead a reasonable person to suspect that a crime has been, is being, or will be committed
At this stage, police may detain the suspect for a brief period and perform a frisk. In some cases, drug-sniffing dogs may be called to the scene, although officers must cite a reason for suspecting the presence of drug evidence in particular. Refusing a search does not create reasonable suspicion, although acting nervous and answering questions inconsistently can. For this reason, it is best not to answer questions if you have to lie in order to do so. Police authority increases if they catch you in a lie, but not if you refuse to answer questions. As a general rule, reasonable suspicion applies to situation in which police have reason to believe you’re up to something, but they don’t know what it is.
Probable cause: Facts or evidence that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a crime has been, is being, or will be committed and the person arrested is responsible
At this stage, police may perform a search, and often an arrest. Probable cause generally means police know what crime they suspect you of and have discovered evidence to support that belief. Common examples include seeing or smelling evidence which is in plain view, or receiving an admission of guilt for a specific crime.
For the conscientious citizen, the best advice regarding police authority is to stick to your guns and not waive your constitutional rights under any circumstances. Police officers will often give misleading descriptions of what their authority is, but you have nothing to gain by submitting to coercive police tactics. Police must make ad hoc decisions in the streets regarding their authority level in a given situation and these decisions are subject to review in court. Asserting your rights properly is good way to avoid arrest, but it is an even better way to avoid a conviction.
Basically, your word vs. theirs. Here's why nothing is done about it in court.
If they use probable cause and FIND something, say drugs, then there probable cause becomes pretty justified in court wouldn't you think?
If they do NOT find anything, who has the time/money to try to take cops to court? Do you think they will tell it exactly how it happened, or fabricate their story? Who will the judge side with I wonder?
My aprment was searched recently (Well plain view only) here;s why IT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND: on my next post.