Q: I feel like I was victim to an illegal encounter with police and my 4th ammendment rights were violated. I saw with my
Own eyes as the k9 officer hit my cartoon with a ball on a rope. Only then did the dog alert. Is that not totally bogus?
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A:
What you describe sounds like it could be a violation of your Fourth Amendment rights, which protect against unreasonable searches and seizures. If the officer manipulated the situation to make the K9 alert by using a toy or ball, it could indicate that the alert was not legitimate. The K9's alert is often used as the basis for probable cause to search a vehicle, so any manipulation could undermine that basis.
You may want to reflect on the entire encounter. Were there other signs of misconduct or irregularities in how the stop or search was handled? Documenting everything you remember about the incident, especially specific details like the ball being thrown, can be important if you choose to challenge the search.
It would be helpful to explore your legal options, as the situation may involve unlawful search tactics. Seeking legal advice could be key to determining whether your rights were violated and what steps you can take to address it.
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