[JeffAtlanta]

Number one, the police dispute whether it was done in full view of anyone, and number two, I'm not sure that the simple location of the search can make the search illegal in and of itself.

Then why did the settle for $100k and drop the charges?

[andyk]

Then why did the settle for $100k and drop the charges?

I don't know why they settled for $100K. Maybe they're a bunch of idiots? I don't know why they dropped the charges. Maybe because they're afraid of our overly-litigious society?

My question dealt with how the nature of the search, after she admitted possessing the crack, could alter the legality of the search.

Your assumption is that since they paid her $100K and dropped the charges that she is the victim, and the PD is the victimizer. That may very well be true, but there are some questions that the story raises (for me).