[inquest]

As I see it, they should be subject to the same laws as everyone else, unless they get a warrant (subject to the restrictions on warrants outlined in the 4th). That doesn't mean that they automatically get punished in the absence of a warrant, but that they're subject to the same legal process that any citizen would be who did the same thing. If it crosses the line into criminality, then county prosecutors should be able to go after state cops, and state prosecutors should be able to go after local cops. If necessary, accomodations should be made for qualified private attorneys to prosecute them.

[PhatHead]

As I see it, they should be subject to the same laws as everyone else

It's not possible for a private citizen to commit the same offense, though, unless you mean that illegal searches should be treated the same as burglaries? Again, i agree with your general point, as I understand it, that currently it is only the general public that is punished for illegal searches, when evidence of a crime cannot be used in court and a criminal walks free. I can't think of an analogous offense by a private citizen, and I don't know of any legal penalties currently on the books for cops.

But I guess we're wandering a bit off-topic for the thread at this point...