Two Cases of Illegal Search and Seizure by Chicago Police

A police search without a warrant is illegal without consent. It is unlawful for a police officer to enter a person’s home or vehicle without a warrant, without consent, or without an exigent circumstance, such as seeing through a window or hearing domestic violence within the house. Additionally, it is unlawful for a law enforcement agent to coerce a person into consenting to a search, whether that coercion is expressed or implied. Furthermore, according to the Criminal Law Digest, “A defendant’s initial refusal to consent is an important factor in determining whether later consent is voluntary. The fact that defendant signed a written consent form is not dispositive in deciding whether consent was voluntary where circumstances show the consent was obtained through coercion.” This very scenario happened to a Chicago resident.

Fake Call of a Break-in Leads to Illegal Search and Seizure

Chicago police responded to an anonymous tip about a man growing marijuana in his residence. When the officers arrived at the residence, they found no one at home. They called the man with a fake story of a home break in, at which point the then suspect drove home and was confronted by the police officer. The defendant asked if the officer had a search warrant, which he did not. However the officer said that if the defendant did not sign a consent form right then and there, that he would be taken to jail, which would not have been lawful. And, if the defendant signed the form, he would not be arrested on that day. The defendant signed the consent search form, the officer found contraband, and he was arrested. The court  found that the police officer had tricked, intimidated, and threatened the defendant, and that the voluntary consent form was not actually signed voluntarily. The court remanded for a new trial, reversed the conviction, and threw out all evidence from the illegal search.

Police officers Given Felony Charges, Face up to Five Years in Prison for Each Charge

In another case of illegal search and seizure, three Chicago police officers and one Glenview police officer who were involved in an illegal search and seizure of a man’s car were deemed guilty of perjury, obstructing justice, and official misconduct earlier this year when it was found that they had illegally searched the defendant’s vehicle and lied about his arrest while on the stand, according to News Blaze. They initially claimed that the drugs they recovered had been in plain view, when in reality, video footage showed them arresting the defendant, handcuffing him, putting him in the back of a squad car, and then thoroughly searching his vehicle before finally finding contraband. The judge stated, “This is very outrageous conduct. All officers lied on the stand today… All their testimony was a lie.” Each officer faces five years in prison for each of the three felony charges. The defendant was awarded $195,000 as part of the settlement.

Call an Experienced Chicago Attorney Today

Contact a Chicago criminal defense attorney today if you believe you have been subject to an illegal search by the police. Attorney David L. Freidberg can help determine if your civil rights have been in any way violated by law enforcement agents and will fight for justice in your case.

For more information, please call The Law Firm of David L. Freidberg at (312) 560-7100 or visit us online to request a consultation.

(image courtesy of Nicholas Barbier Garreau)