Not yet a member? No problem!
Sign-up just takes a second.
Forgot your password?
Recover it now.
Already signed up?
Log in now.
Forgot your password?
Recover it now.
Not yet a member? No problem!
Sign-up just takes a second.
Remember your password?
Log in now.
Police perform illegal house-to-house raids in Boston
Jaerthere's a key word in my explanation (which the definition is posted in another comment); Under exigent circumstances, meaning using the excuse of "oh.. we're just looking for someone" isn't considered under that label. Also, probable cause can be used in a search without a warrant (i.e. shots reported in a building etc..).
Secondly, the entire city of Boston was on lockdown under a Public Safety measure (no martial law was called at the time), but national guard was patrolling the search area and aiding local enforcement. Anyone found on the streets walking around was instantly stopped and carded for info.
Again, the searches were not unwarranted and they were not illegal. They only searched the houses in the search area, they proceeded with by the book maneuvers. No one was mishandled in the searches from what I see in that video or any other account.
As I said, "We're scared" or in other words 'exigent circumstances' are not legitimate reasons for suspension of civil rights. If you believe a 'manhunt' makes it legal for unwarranted search and seizures then I ask you, when is it NOT legal for them to enter your home without a warrant? There is ALWAYS a 'manhunt' in operation, technically every person with a warrant out is a 'manhunt in progress'. Your suggestion leaves no conclusion except you believe we have already given up the right protecting us from unwarranted search and seizure in our own homes. I disagree with that assertion, and suggest that during these types of extreme circumstances are exactly the times when it is imperative to exercise your rights, not capitulate and allow them to simply strip those rights from you or ignore them without consequence.
If they were in pursuit of a suspect and KNEW he was on or had traveled through the property, that's another story, but that's not the case here.
I did not hear that martial law had been implemented...there may be some validity to that argument, I'm less sure about that circumstance.
Still I suggest that rights only exist if they can be used at ALL times, not just when it's convenient for the government to allow them.
Police perform illegal house-to-house raids in Boston
JaerThey're not illegal searches, a warrant isn't needed if it's under exigent circumstances (i.e. Martial Law, manhunt, etc).
If this were under different circumstances, then yes, I'd be upset, but they're looking for someone who's already killed, and injured people, and who's already shown behavior that they will attack on a whim.