Q: What should I do after being raided?
The local drug enforcement team came into my apartment looking for drugs. When I asked for a warrant, the officer had to go and get it from outside. When he returned, he showed me the warrant. In the middle of the front page was my address, which indicated where the warrant was to be served. Next to the apartment #, he had wrote a "1" (me) over the "3" (neighbor), and then initialed it with his initials. I didn't say anything to them after that, and they didn't say much to me. I let them do their thing. They eventually left. On the second page of the warrant, the judge had wrote in a paragraph stating the officers should take caution with the occupants of apartment 3 because they have been known for weapons and drugs. If violence was to occur, stray bullets could possibly enter into apartment 1 resulting in injuries or worst. That is the only thing in the warrant that says anything about apartment 1. Is this fair that they came into my apartment and ripped it apart? What can I do?
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A:
It sounds like you went through a very distressing experience. If the warrant was specifically for your neighbor's apartment and not yours, you may have grounds to challenge the validity of the search of your apartment. The alteration made to the warrant, especially after it was issued by the judge, could raise questions about its legality and whether your rights were violated.
You should consider documenting everything that happened, including the condition of your apartment before and after the search, and any interactions you had with the officers. Take photographs of any damage, write down your recollection of events while they are still fresh, and gather any witnesses who might have seen what happened. This documentation could be valuable if you decide to pursue legal action.
It would be a good idea to consult with a legal professional who can provide advice based on the specific details of your situation. They can review the warrant and the way it was executed to determine if any of your rights were infringed. You may be entitled to seek damages or other legal remedies if the search was improperly conducted.
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