Replies

"Since when is a warrant required to enter a PUBLIC BUILDING.

When it is after hours for the public to enter. Duh. Sometimes you people make me laugh."

Ummm, you're just flat wrong on this. Since the janitor permitted him on the premises, there is no need for a warrant.

If you let a police officer onto your property after he asks to be let in, he's justified in being there.

A warrant is necessary if entry is refused.

Even though the original poster made you laugh, you should know that there's nothing funnier than a condescending individual who is wrong and doesn't even know it.

Trace

Ummm, you're just flat wrong on this. Since the janitor permitted him on the premises, there is no need for a warrant.

Ummm, if the cop is to be believed, he trespassed through an unlocked door.

And if the school is to be believed, the janitor let him in because of he was in a policeman's uniform.

If you let a police officer onto your property after he asks to be let in, he's justified in being there.

A policeman outside his jurisdiction has no justification for being there. And because Mott admits he was on personal business, he really and truly had no business there.

Warrants are immaterial in this case: Mott was trespassing.

O.k. so, was the cop acting in an official capacity or not? There are people all over this thread trying to say that he was let in because, heck, the janitor would let just anyone into the building at 130am in the morning. I'm sure it happens all the time. Why, I often go cruising the halls of the local highschool all night long, and that's just fine, because it's a public building right! (/sarcasm)

You are correct that he was allowed in by the janitor, which would have made the entry legal if he were there on official business. However, y'all seem to want it both ways. I'd have no problem with a cop attempting this stunt if he wasn't (one more time folks) in uniform and on duty. However, because he was, his request could be reasonably thought to be a legitimate request by the janitor, who obviously has been neglecting his study of constitutional law. There is also the consideration that he was outside of his jurisdiction.

Had I been the janitor, I'd have noted the cop's badge number and department to give to the principle/superintendent in the morning and then told the cop to specify why he wanted admittance, and if not satisfied, tell him to get a warrant and pound sand until it shows.

I really don't understand why people are just begging to give the government limitless authority over them. This is supposed to be a conservative philosophy?