i was wondering if you guys could provide any information or links to information that would help me understand my rights as a minor living in the US. stuff about searches, invasion of privacy, etc... recently i was walking around town with a backpack at night and some cops in an unmarked car, not in uniform pulled up to me and opened their trunk. they were like "ok empty your bag" luckily i had nothing in there, but isnt this an invasion of privacy or did i have the right to say "you do not have my consent to search"? also recently my school has been stealing kids cell phones and reading the text messages... and its ended up in kids getting suspended for 10 days on drug related issues.
Sorry i dont know anything about the US laws, but jesus fucking christ! Stealing kids mobiles? Phone the police, tell them your school is stealing! Americas pathetic on drugs, fucking pathetic
lol they have no rights to your cell phone. and the cops need reasonable cause to search your contents.
Damn that seems a little wrong...when i got arrested for running away as a minor they didn't even search my bag. It seems like they shouldn't be allowed to search your stuff without reasonable suspicion but hell, that's just a guess. If they weren't in a cop car or uniform, how do you know they were cops? Badge? I would've said fuck no and ran.
That's ridiculous that they read through the messages on the phones. Complete invasion of privacy. Here's a good video about this sort of thing.
if your at school and they try take away your cell aways take the battery out for you hand it to them, or you do have the right to not give it to them. and from what I know you can tell police to not go through your personal belongings and they must get a warrant before they open it.
You should have told the cop that you don't consent to searches and that he has no rght to search you without reasonable consent. And if the school asks for your cell, say NO or take out the battery AND the Sim card, then gave it to them.
some kid tried that and refused to give them the battery^^ they then got suspended. thanks for all your guys help though... the reason im really asking though is because somebody told me once you dont really have any rights as a minor because you arent 18.
^^^ actually, minors have more rights than the rest of us in these areas, and the penalties are far less severe (as long as it ain't at school. do not do drugs at school.). You have the right to refuse the search of your personal belongings when you are walking down a street, if you have a book bag or purse (or for those over the age of 18, a cigarette case) and deny them the search, they need a warrant or a drug dog. The thing is, if you don't outright vocalize your denial they call it "implied consent", so just say stop searching my stuff then SHUT UP. In any search, you have the right to be present, and the right to have a parent present, use this(especially in school). Whenever the school or police harass you they back off quickly at the mention of the word parent for two main reasons 1: parents tend to know the law, and 2: the threat of telling your parents is one of their main weapons. Also, you have the right to a child advocate if they want to question you, these people can be a great resource. The parent loophole is a great way to get out of a breathalizer test, because if your parent denies a test you don't face any repercussions (like having your license suspended until you are 21). So, stay safe, and know your rights.
first off without a probable cause the cops have no reason to search you they also must tell you what there cause is if they have one. so if you haven't done anything wrong and a cop asks you to empty your bag or pockets just say no. also being a minor the law requires that a parent be present at the time of qustioning as well as to issue a search. so if you do get busted by the police make sure you tell them you are a minor and that you chose to remain silent until your parents are notified. and as for the cell phones, your school does have the right to confiscate them depending on your schools poloicy regarding phone use. but they do not have the power to search through your phones content. this same incident has happened elsewhere and resulted in the school being sued.
well it was goosey night and i had a backpack full of toilet paper. and it was like 9pm. does that give them permission? o yea^^ im honestly amazed nobody has sued the school yet. a LOT of kids are getting really pissed off and i think parents are starting to hear too. teachers will literally take kids phones out of their hands, look at all the pictures, and read all the text messages. its ridiculous.
