Asked in Civil Rights for Pennsylvania

Q: State police searched my house against my and my wife's will without a warrant.. supposedly for a domestic dispute

Once we were both in cuffs on the ground they said that I'd be charged with every last bit of Marijuana found in my home!.. after about 15-20 mins of multiple officers searching they found nothing! But even tried saying my wife's pistol was stolen ! Which we gave information of where it was purchased new at a local gun store... all of which is on my homes surveillance video ... and I can't find anyone who will help me! Everyone is in fear of backlash... pa state police

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered
  • Civil Rights Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA

A: You have the right to legal representation and should seek a lawyer experienced in handling police misconduct cases. It's important to document everything, including the surveillance footage, as it can serve as critical evidence in your defense. Your attorney can help you file a complaint against the officers for the illegal search and any other misconduct.

The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures, meaning the police should not have entered your home without a warrant. Your attorney can challenge any potential charges and argue that any evidence obtained during the illegal search is inadmissible in court. This protection is designed to prevent abuses of power and to ensure your rights are respected.

Don't hesitate to reach out to local or national civil rights organizations. They can offer guidance and may even provide legal assistance. Remember, you are not alone in this, and there are resources available to help you defend your rights and hold those responsible accountable.

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.