Did these cops have the right to search and seize under these circumstances?
Happened to a friend,
My friend lives on campus in a dorm with 4 roommates. One night he was with some other friends sitting in the common room when there was a knock at the door. 2 Seconds later cops came in accusing them of making too much noise. I was assured they were quiet as a mouse, anyways without any other reason searches my friend and finds marijuana. Apparently there was very little communication between the time of entrance to search.
Was it an illegal search by relevance in scope to the circumstances justifying the interference?
No, but it’s your word against the cop’s in this case. And, judges don’t hold the word of young smokers very highly by comparison(I am not calling you a smoker though). You should still fight it though.
Because he is in a dorm…
In most cases the dorm room is not protected the same way a residence or even a room in a private house would be.
This is especially true for campus police who are representing the owner of the property.
Most schools have the student and parents sign stuff that allows for such searches as part of the dorm contract.
You gotta keep in mind that there is ” no expectation of privacy” in a common area of a dorm…most dorm leases and documents that your parents signed when you entered the dorm rental agreement state that anything or anyone at anytime is subject to search …
Cops are not capable to search your house unless they have a warrant to do so. On the contrary, your friend was in a dorm (property of the campus he/she is attending) therefore, cops are permitted to check the dorm. Good luck to your friend, I would advise him to get a lawyer.
the cops had every right to search because you guys were on school property and the officials take that very seriously. Also was your friend on probation or parole cause Again they would have every Right even to search you and the premisses. But personally id fight it if i had no priors.
You are talking about the police searching your friend’s person, right? Not the common area?
Can’t address the legality of the search based on the information you provided.