Legal Question in Criminal Law in Texas

Police bugging

Is it legal for the University of North texas police to place bugging equipment in the private dorms and public exterior of the dorms?

As of recently, a friend of mine was arrested here at the university of north texas. The police were seen on the balcony outside of his window, to enter this balcony one needs to go through a dorm room and crawl out the window onto the balcony. When this friend of mine was arrested, the police knew personal information about him, such as how long his girlfriend and him were dating and other information that he wished not to share with the police. He was arrested on a class b misdemeanor marijuana charge. It is known that the police are investigating Cocaine trafficking on campus. If their investigation is bugging the interior and exterior of the dorms, is it legal? I do not wish my rights to be infringed upon, nor do I wish for the police to know private information about myself.

Thank you for any and all help.

- Concerned Student

P.S. I am not certain if this question belongs under the ''Criminal law'' area, if it does not, I apologize.


Asked on 2/27/09, 10:12 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
ERICK PLATTEN LAW OFFICE OF ERICK PLATTEN

Re: Police bugging

Hello there,

Before law enforcement can legally use bugging devices they have to go before a judge and show probable cause whey they believe it is necessary to such equipment.

If the officers did not obtain a warrant and they illegally invaded your privacy, a good lawyer would file a motion to suppress the evidence and would also consider filing a lawsuit against the police agency for violating your civil rights.

Sincerely,

Erick Platten

PLATTEN LAW OFFICE

STATE WIDE REPRESENTATION

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Answered on 2/28/09, 11:53 pm


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