Dallas, TX asked in Constitutional Law and Civil Rights for Texas

Q: In Dallas, TX can the police come inside of my hotel room without a warrant, if their probable cause is ..

My boyfriend who stays with me in this hotel room every day came back last night in a truck I’d never seen before, I figured it was his friends truck. The next evening he was leaving the parking lot of this hotel in the truck and the cops tried to stop him because apparently the truck was stolen. He then jumped out of the truck and took off running on foot. They still havnt been able to find him, it’s been almost 3 hours. If they go to the front desk of my hotel and look at the cameras and find out what room he’s staying in, are they then legally allowed to come inside of my hotel room?

1 Lawyer Answer
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
Answered
  • Frisco, TX
  • Licensed in Texas

A: If you are a registered guest and of the hotel and hotel staff has not taken any steps to terminate your occupancy, police generally have to secure a search warrant to enter and search your room unless there are exigent circumstances which would justify a warrant less search.

A boyfriend having possession of a stolen truck without more isn’t an exigent circumstance.

The most common way for police to conduct a warrant less search of a hotel room is to smell smoke or marijuana. Smoking generally isn’t allowed in hotels, so the odor may be enough to permit a warrant less search.

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