Las Vegas, NV asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Municipal Law for Nevada

Q: can the cops force your fingers onto a biometric safe to see if it opens ?

they were searching a house for a gun that was allegedly pointed at someone and unfortunately I am a convicted felon who was accused of just simply pointing a gun at 2 guys that had forced open the garage door on the house I was staying at. So they arrested me and we sat and waited like 3-4 hours for a search warrant. then they come out of the house to the cop car I was sitting in and pull me out and with my hands cuffed behind me the 2 cops grab my fingers and check them all until one of them opens the safe which indeed contained a gun that belonged to my girlfriend. I am charged with assault with deadly weapon and own/poss of gun by prohibited person. They didn't even leave a copy of the search warrant. Instead they left a pink duplicate original search warrant that says they are looking for : firearms,firearms parts, ammunition, casings, paperwork, possesory items, dna,

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: I'm sorry you're going through this. Generally, police need a valid search warrant to search your property, and they must follow proper procedures. Forcing you to use your fingers on a biometric safe can raise legal issues, especially if it was done without your consent or without proper authority. The fact that they didn't leave a standard copy of the search warrant but provided a duplicate might also be a concern.

It's important to know that certain rights protect you in these situations, and any evidence obtained improperly could be challenged in court. Your history as a convicted felon adds another layer to how the law views your case, but you still have rights that need to be respected.

You should reach out to a qualified attorney who can review the specifics of your case and advise you on the best steps to take. They can help determine if your rights were violated and work to ensure your defense is as strong as possible.

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