SO_MONEY wrote:winforlose wrote:SO_MONEY wrote:
I think they can just take the vape pen if they really want, like it or not, under forfeiture. Obviously, it is awful, but probably legal as things stand. So if they suspect it is related to a crime they can probably just take it regardless of if it actually is related to a crime, sadly.
How is the suspicion reasonable if the stop was not impairment related and Prince was not visibly under the influence. Moreover forfeiture requires a crime. You cannot simply go into the car and take what you want, that is a 4th amendment violation. If there was a big baggy of white powder, that satisfies both reasonable suspicion and probable cause. The baggy can be taken under forfeiture because even though it isn’t illegal, it was used in the crime. Likewise, they can keep the pen as evidence of the THC oil, but they cannot remove the pen from Prince’s possession until/unless they establish a reason to do so. That reason must relate to the object without examination. You clearly don’t seem to understand how searches work under the 4th amendment. Moreover, gun owners don’t like it when they are penalized simply for having a gun. Without the gun the police cannot even enter the vehicle. If the DA wants to argue that gun possession is sufficient to justify a full search of the vehicle they will lose every Texas election going forward. Texas is a very 2nd amendment loving state.
Under forfeiture they charge the property not the person. If they suspect the vape pen could be or was used in a crime they can take it as things stand. I understand how searches work and have great understanding of the 4th Amendment... property doesn't have 4th amendment rights. I am not saying I agree with forfeiture laws but Texas has them. Forfeiture doesn't require accusing or charging someone with a crime.
Personally I think forfeiture is horrible and is a way to circumvent constitutional rights.
I have a few issues with this.
1. Any vape pen in any vehicle in the state could qualify, not to mention fire arm, needle, or so many other items. I don’t know Texas criminal procedure. I will not pretend to be an expert on criminal procedure as I only took one crim law class and procedure was only covered as one part of that. But, if this passes admissibility tests, it would be shocking. This is the kind of thing that even conservative justices would not support as it is flat out unconstitutional. To take and test the pen, they must have access to it, to gain access they must have a right to search the vehicle, they did not. They only had a right to remove the weapons. They can think whatever they want, they cannot act unless they see something clearly illegal, and a vape pen is not clearly illegal.
2. Personal property rights are covered under the fourth amendment. That is why you need a warrant to enter a private residence that you believe has stolen property or illegal property (guns, drugs, ect…) Prince‘s rights were violated the moment the pen was touched, and the evidence thereafter is inadmissible, unless the cop can establish a reasonable suspicion the pen had drugs. If the pen was not on top of the guns he cannot grab it. He just cannot. Sight or smell is the only basis for reasonable suspicion, and even then it is weighed against the context of the stop. He was not impaired, and it is not reasonable to assume he had unlawful substances in his possession. The gun retrieval was the only purpose for the officer in the car, the presumption is going to go against the cop on this.