A person’s right to be protected from unreasonable searches and seizures is codified in the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Put simply, a Louisiana resident cannot be forced to have their person, car, home or other space invaded by law enforcement officials without a reason. Generally a police officer or other law enforcement officer must have a warrant or compelling reason to stop and search a person. If their suspicions are not based on sufficient information or evidence, then the results of their searches and seizures may not be legal.
Recently an adult male, age 22, and his mother, age 43, were subjected to the search and seizure protocols of Louisiana law enforcement officials. A traffic stop was made as well as a search of their home where marijuana, ecstasy, prescription drugs, money and weapons were allegedly found. Both the man and his mother were arrested on a variety of weapons and drug charges based upon the items law enforcement officers claim to have found in their possession.
No information is offered regarding why law enforcement officials targeted this family for investigation. It is unknown if the search of the family’s property and persons was based on a search warrant or other basis.
As they move toward trial, this mother and son may wish to have their case reviewed by a criminal defense attorney. Lawyers who work in this complex area of the law are well-suited to analyze the legality of searches and seizures as well as the bases on which they are executed. If a legal professional were to find an error in the procedural steps that led to their client’s arrest, then they may have a means of mitigating the charges that have been brought against them.
Source: klfy.com, “Mother and son in Louisiana booked on drug, weapons charges,” May 31, 2017