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by JoeAltmaier 2242 days ago
Well, of course there are. "Warrantless search" is one category, and "search by random person" is another. The 2nd is closer to harassment, in some opinions.

It's not quite fair to compare actions by an officer of the court with that of the general public. By design.
2 comments
netsharc 2242 days ago
Huh, seems like this argument doesn't go along with the "trash is no longer your property" conclusion.

If you say the police can do it because he's a police officer [... and because of that does it mean he has better judgement?], then why have a law about warrants?

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JoeAltmaier 2242 days ago
Lots of possible differences remain. Entering private property to secure the trash - an officer of the court can normally do that without being considered harassment or trespass.

Being an officer of the court is important, and attempts to blur that are disingenuous. Cherry-picking one facet of the incident is not a good argument. What-about-isms likewise.

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tantalor 2242 days ago
> can normally do that

Not without a warrant

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JoeAltmaier 2242 days ago
If its urgent, or they have reasonable cause.

Again, with the cherry-picking.

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tantalor 2242 days ago
As in exigent circumstances?

That could actually fly if the officer had a reasonable belief the trash contained relevant evidence, and the trash collector was going to take it away before a warrant could be acquired.

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tantalor 2242 days ago
They are the same: a search for no good reason
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