Q: Is that a public park is a "known drug area" sufficient as "reasonable suspicion" for search without any other evidence?
Legally parked, in an open public park at a reasonable time of day, eating dinner and playing a video game on his cell, my friend looked up from his game surprised to find a squad car parked perpendicular to his truck with lights activated. Thinking something was wrong my friend got out to see what the problem was and the officer exited his vehicle at the same time and immediately says out loud, "I smell marijuana." Cop charges over to my friend standing next to his truck and immediately "frisks" him, diving into pockets & finds one hitter pot pipe forgot in a pocket. Given this meets requirements to constitute "seizure" and should be protected by the fourth amendment, a "reasonable suspicion" is required for having made the stop. My friend was told the "stop" was made was because the park was allegedly a "known drug area". My friend hired a lawyer who has not shown any evidences from discovery to my friend, suggests he take a plea deal with no mention of reasonable suspicion.
A: Whether police have an articulable suspicion of criminal activity, sufficient to justify a Fourth Amendment seizure,depends upon all the facts then known to that police officer. Of course, I don't have access to that information. His defense attorney of record on the case should. If friend has questions, he or she should directly address those questions to his or her lawyer. And request a copy of the discovery from his or her lawyer.
1 user found this answer helpful
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.
