12-28-2005, 02:59 PM
| #1 |
| Moderator   Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Selma, NC
Posts: 2,223
| Warrantless search or not?
I was just listening to North Carolina's Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzel on the radio a few minutes ago. Overall, I like Steve and the job that he has done here in the county. However, one thing I just heard him discuss that REALY bothers me is that he is chairing a committee along with a judge in Fayetteville to automate the process of warrrants. Computer automation for report writing, field information, and criminal histories/databases is great. However, for serving a warrant, I have a serious problem with the concept. A deputy had better have something more than a laptop screen showing an electronic form of a warrant. I had better be served with a formal piece of paper showing all the information and a signature from a court official. There is a reason that there is a requirement of a warrant for arrests, searches, and seizures. It helps to eliminate fraud and shows proof of the action. An electronic version does me no good as a citizen. The warrant is a protection of the citizen from abuse of government, not to protect law enforcement from the public. I work in an electronic medium for a living, so I understand the benefit of the electronic process to organization and communication. However, there are certain instances in which "old fashioned paper" should never be replaced. Anything electronic can be altered. Without paperwork in my hand for a situation requiring a warrant, my rights are not protected. This just opens the door for abuse and is something that we should not stand for. |
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12-28-2005, 03:37 PM
| #2 |
| Senior Member  Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Southern "Mizzeruh"
Posts: 246
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I agree. As a police officer, I will avoid doing paperwork any chance I get. Search Warrants however is something that needs to be done by hand by the officer, not some "fill in the blanks" form. I have seen cases get kicked due to the fact that a search warrant was not written up properly. It is called "fruit of the poison tree". You could find a dooms day arsenal full of illegal weapons and enough drugs to open your own pharmacy, but if the warrant is done improperly, that person will walk every single time.
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12-28-2005, 05:20 PM
| #3 |
| Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Selma, NC
Posts: 2,223
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I can remember filling out a standard, three part carbon incident report for every call I went to. I would love to have had a computer to do a report with. I had a lot of paperwork in files and a clip board I kept in my vehicle. I am all for information automation, databases of criminal history being available, even seeing photos of previous "guests" to our county jail for future use on the scene. Deputies can run checks on plates, outstanding warrants, etc. Fine with me. If one knocks on my door with a laptop computer trying to search my home because of an electronic warrant, he better call for back up.
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12-28-2005, 05:56 PM
| #4 |
| Super Moderator   |
Troy I agree there is no substitute for the written out warrant for law enforcement use. As far as I am concerned electronic forms of warrants are no good and do not serve as a valid form of documentation.
__________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/ |
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12-31-2005, 08:30 AM
| #6 |
| Senior Member   |
agreed, Stopper. But, the other important thing is folks are slowly waking up to what's going on! I like the fact some are annoyed with this crap. finally, it's more than just me!
__________________ "They cannot be trusted.....The Romulans (our politicos) are without honor." Worf |
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12-31-2005, 11:47 AM
| #7 |
| Senior Member   Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tampa
Posts: 7,053
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Warrentless searces? He** no,before long we would have the storm troopers at every door,give 'em an inch......... 
__________________  USAF '62-'66  . |
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