Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Last night approximately 4 Police officers came to my boyfriends house looking for his brother, who is recently out of prison. My boyfriends other brother let them in. They came to our room, knocked, identified themsevles and entered our room. Because I was on the phone, was startled and made a swift sudden move by tossing a pen on our dresser, the officers became suspicous of me. From there they interigated me assuming that I was not only hiding something, but under the influence of drugs. They asked me wheres my pipe, what did I have in my purse, how old I was, where was I hiding my drugs, and several more. They proceeded to run my name through dispatch. I was scared, angry, i felt violated, and once they did not find any thing, they left. I just cried for a few minutes after that. I dont feel the I need to subject myself toanything like that. The brother they were looking for wasn't there nor had he been there. My question is were they in the wrong? What should I do the next time they come?


Asked on 11/06/09, 11:58 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
George Shers Law Offices of Georges H. Shers

They were legally inside the house as they were let in by some one who I assumes lives there. This is not my area of the law, but I do nt think they then needed permission to enter your room. If you knew the police were about to enter the room, why were you startled? They probably interpreted that to mean that you were high on something. You do not say you told them to stop and leave the room. Based upon theri asking how old you are, I suspect that you are fairly young and they thought somethlng might be going on that was illegal.

It does not sound as though they acted improperly. Next time tell the other residents not to let them in and explain that the person they are looking for does not live there, if that is the case. Do not do things that make you look as though you have done something wrong. Tell them that you do not have to answer any questions if you do not want to.

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Answered on 11/12/09, 3:18 am


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