anonymouseuser
New Member
Hi
My question is this. I am an adult who lives in the home of a parent, paying rent for a room. My room is private and my parent does not enter it. Furthermore, within my room is such things as a private lockbox which, even if my parent were to enter my private room, would certainly not be allowed into.
Recently the police came to my house and requested to search my room. I did not give consent. They then asked my parent for consent when she got home (I don't know what they said to her but she was not able to speak to me first), she provided it, and they searched both my private room and the areas (lockbox, closet, dresser drawers) which would be private even if the room were not.
Ultimately nothing was found in the search but I want to remedy this violation of my rights. As I understand it, a parent can not give consent to search an adult child's private areas, which would include the room if the parent is not permitted in there or the private places within the room (such as lockbox) if they were.
A. Am I correct to say that this search was clearly illegal as my rented room is private and my mother was not in a position to consent to a search?
B. What course of action do I have open if so? lawsuit, formal complaint?
C. Am I likely to find an attorney who would take the case?
My question is this. I am an adult who lives in the home of a parent, paying rent for a room. My room is private and my parent does not enter it. Furthermore, within my room is such things as a private lockbox which, even if my parent were to enter my private room, would certainly not be allowed into.
Recently the police came to my house and requested to search my room. I did not give consent. They then asked my parent for consent when she got home (I don't know what they said to her but she was not able to speak to me first), she provided it, and they searched both my private room and the areas (lockbox, closet, dresser drawers) which would be private even if the room were not.
Ultimately nothing was found in the search but I want to remedy this violation of my rights. As I understand it, a parent can not give consent to search an adult child's private areas, which would include the room if the parent is not permitted in there or the private places within the room (such as lockbox) if they were.
A. Am I correct to say that this search was clearly illegal as my rented room is private and my mother was not in a position to consent to a search?
B. What course of action do I have open if so? lawsuit, formal complaint?
C. Am I likely to find an attorney who would take the case?