Ask a Question

Get free answers to your legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Questions Answered by Brandon Wilson Barnett
3 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Federal Crimes for Texas on
Q: Can I refuse a search of my backpack if someone calls the police on me because they thought I was suspicious?

I was walking with a friend late at night and someone saw me and him and called the cops and they stopped me and questioned me about my bag and wanted to search it and it was 1 am and I told them no and they said usually people let us look if they aren’t hiding something but I wasn’t but I just... View More

Brandon Wilson Barnett
PREMIUM
Brandon Wilson Barnett
answered on Jan 28, 2020

Under both the US and Texas Constitutions, you have an absolute right to refuse to consent to a search of your person, home, or effects (including your bags). By refusing, you place the investigating agency in a position where they must pursue a search warrant and provide specific facts to a judge... View More

View More Answers

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.