I got to thinking a bit on a recent discussion about traffic stops and police trying to fish for reasons to search the car, lacking any reasons whatsoever besides the moving violation or equipment malfunction.
Somebody said something to the effect that "if people are too dumb to know their rights" then it is not the fault of police. Okay, fine.
It is a fact that not everyone knows their rights. Heck, a fair amount of police officers don't even know what is contained in the Bill of Rights. And the public at large is getting a pretty minuscule understanding of the constitution. I am quite sure that many people do not realize that they have the right to REFUSE a vehicle search during a traffic stop. As officers have said, if they already had Probable Cause, they WOULD NOT BE ASKING.
So -- why not "Mirandize" people with their rights regarding search and seizure?
Somebody said something to the effect that "if people are too dumb to know their rights" then it is not the fault of police. Okay, fine.
It is a fact that not everyone knows their rights. Heck, a fair amount of police officers don't even know what is contained in the Bill of Rights. And the public at large is getting a pretty minuscule understanding of the constitution. I am quite sure that many people do not realize that they have the right to REFUSE a vehicle search during a traffic stop. As officers have said, if they already had Probable Cause, they WOULD NOT BE ASKING.
So -- why not "Mirandize" people with their rights regarding search and seizure?
You have the right to refuse this search. If you consent to this search, anything found within your vehicle can and will be used against you in a court of law. Do you understand these rights? May I search your vehicle, citizen?