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Man Wonders What His Options Are After His Date’s Mom Calls The Cops On Him At 3AM
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Man Wonders What His Options Are After His Date’s Mom Calls The Cops On Him At 3AM

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Your home is supposed to be your sanctuary, a safe place where you can kick back, relax, and take a break from the always busy outside world. You don’t have to let in anyone you don’t want to, especially at odd hours of the night.

For one Redditor, though, his peace was shattered when 3 armed LAPD officers broke into his room at 3AM and started firing questions at him. The man in question wasn’t presented with a warrant nor offered much in the way of explanation during the whole event. Now he’s wondering if his rights were violated and if he should file a complaint. 

More info: Reddit

Man and his date got a rude awakening at 3AM after 3 LAPD officers stormed his room without a warrant

Image credits: SHVETS production (not the actual photo)

As it turned out, the mother of the woman he was with at the time had alerted the police after her daughter didn’t answer her phone

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Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual photo)

The police asked him to identify himself, as well as his shocked date

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Image credits: u/alguirre00

The man ended up walking his date out, only to find another 3 officers and the girl’s mother waiting outside

OP starts his story by telling the community that he was on a second date with a woman who still lives with her mother. The couple ended up staying up late together before finally falling asleep at his place. 

The peace was shattered, though, when 3 police burst through his door at 3AM, shining flashlights into his face and asking him to identify himself and confirm the identity of the woman he was with, which OP duly did.

The police then told OP that the woman’s mother was downstairs waiting for her, since she hadn’t answered her phone and the mother was worried. OP walked his date out and found 3 other police waiting out front. None of the 6 police offered OP any further word of explanation nor produced a warrant.

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OP says he feels the whole thing was quite over the top, considering the couple had just fallen asleep, as well as the fact that he has a clean criminal record – nothing to suggest he might have harmed his date in any way. Now OP has turned to Reddit to ask if and how he can file a complaint.

Image credits: Antoni Shkraba (not the actual photo)

At no point did the officers provide a warrant or any further explanation for their actions, so the man asked netizens if he’d be within his rights to file a complaint

According to Alexis Austin of Right Law Group, in the US, police can only search your property if there is a reasonable cause for suspicion. They can’t search you, your car, your home, or any other property without a warrant or the aforementioned reasonable suspicion, because of the Fourth Amendment.

This is an amendment to the United States Constitution and forms a part of the Bill of Rights. The aim of the Fourth Amendment is to protect citizens against unreasonable seizures and searches. The Fourth Amendment states the following:

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“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”    

The Fourth Amendment was written well over 200 years ago, before the invention of security cameras, personal recording devices, and the internet, and has come under scrutiny in controversial cases where police have been suspected of abusing their power. 

If you provide consent to a search without a warrant, the police are allowed to search your property. Even if you are completely innocent, it’s not advisable to consent to a search. Police may attempt to coerce you into giving consent, so be cautious with the language you use when talking to them.

The Fourth Amendment has multiple interpretations and can be quite convoluted. If you think that your Fourth Amendment rights have been violated, it’s crucial to consult a legal expert – an experienced criminal defense attorney will understand your rights and all the nitty gritty involved in these kinds of cases.

Do you think the 3 LAPD officers crossed a line by barging into OP’s home without a warrant? Would he be within his rights to lay a legal complaint against them? Let us know your opinion in the comments!

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Redditors weighed in in their droves, with most suggesting the man consult a civil rights attorney

Image credits: Caleb Oquendo (not the actual photo)

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Ivan Ayliffe

Ivan Ayliffe

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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After twenty years in advertising, I've decided to try my hand at journalism. I'm lucky enough to be based in Cape Town, South Africa and use every opportunity I get to explore everything it has to offer, both indoors and out. When I'm not reading, writing, or listening to podcasts, I spend my time swimming in the ocean, running mountain trails, and skydiving. While I haven't travelled as much as I'd like, I did live in !ndia, which was an incredible experience. I love live music, whether it's in a massive stadium or an intimate club setting.

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Ivan Ayliffe

Ivan Ayliffe

Writer, BoredPanda staff

After twenty years in advertising, I've decided to try my hand at journalism. I'm lucky enough to be based in Cape Town, South Africa and use every opportunity I get to explore everything it has to offer, both indoors and out. When I'm not reading, writing, or listening to podcasts, I spend my time swimming in the ocean, running mountain trails, and skydiving. While I haven't travelled as much as I'd like, I did live in !ndia, which was an incredible experience. I love live music, whether it's in a massive stadium or an intimate club setting.

Monika Pašukonytė

Monika Pašukonytė

Author, BoredPanda staff

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I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

Read less »

Monika Pašukonytė

Monika Pašukonytė

Author, BoredPanda staff

I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

Do you think the police were justified in entering the man's home without a warrant?
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Sunny Day
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go to the police station & request a copy of the incident report. Mom needs to be charged for false reporting (she made up something, because police don't send multiple officers because an adult didn't answer their phone for 2 hours.) Explain to the police that either mom gets charged, or your lawyer goes after the police.

Zoe Vokes
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe she lied about her daughter’s age? Because her adult daughter spending the night with her adult boyfriend wouldn’t require an intervention from the police.

Load More Replies...
Ellen Townsend
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do you suppose Mom knew one or more of the cops and had them do a "favor" for her?

WindySwede
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just like the mom that called her son to look up the plates of a car somewhere. Was this on BP or YT I saw it..? Also not OK to do..

Load More Replies...
HTakeover
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Body cam footage? Oh, you mean the footage that was somehow corrupted.

Load More Comments
Sunny Day
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go to the police station & request a copy of the incident report. Mom needs to be charged for false reporting (she made up something, because police don't send multiple officers because an adult didn't answer their phone for 2 hours.) Explain to the police that either mom gets charged, or your lawyer goes after the police.

Zoe Vokes
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe she lied about her daughter’s age? Because her adult daughter spending the night with her adult boyfriend wouldn’t require an intervention from the police.

Load More Replies...
Ellen Townsend
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do you suppose Mom knew one or more of the cops and had them do a "favor" for her?

WindySwede
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just like the mom that called her son to look up the plates of a car somewhere. Was this on BP or YT I saw it..? Also not OK to do..

Load More Replies...
HTakeover
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Body cam footage? Oh, you mean the footage that was somehow corrupted.

Load More Comments
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