Monday, March 29, 2004

We Don't Need No Stinking Warrent

WDSU reports "Police officers in Louisiana no longer need a search or arrest warrant to conduct a brief search of your home or business.

Leaders in law enforcement say it will keep officers safe, but others argue it's a privilege that could be abused.

The decision in United States v. Kelly Gould, No. 0230629cr0, was made March 24 by the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals."

I just took a look at Timshel's site to make sure I didn't miss his post, but I didn't see anything. Maybe I missed something though. AngryArab provided the link.

What I find frightening is that a search warrant, in this case, would have been almost a routine request. A witness claims that the defendant was threatening to kill people (hearsay, but maybe a lawyer can enlighten me as to whether hearsay counts when it comes to search warrants, as opposed to being thrown out during trial). The defendant, furthermore, is a convicted felon--technically, that shouldn't matter, but...
Third, it would be reasonable to conclude that the defendant would use a weapon to kill. Yes, some folks kill with their bare hands, but I'll bet most use guns or knives. Being a convicted felon, Gould is prohibited from owning a firearm here in Louisiana.

So why didn't they just wake up a judge--if it was late--and have him sign off on the damn piece of paper. If the judge is cranky about being awakened in the middle of the night--too goddamn bad. That's what he makes the big bucks for.

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