this needs to be the law of the land.
not just in Texas but everywhere.
last spring ..2004.. I was driving my Uncle's car up from Florida for him, the drive from Florida to Wisc is a bit much for him and so he fllies me down, I get a couple of days with my parents and then take him to the airport and drive north with his car. In the fine state of Georgia I was stopped for driving too rapidly (I was) I presented the trooper a letter identifying me and my purpose signed by my Uncle, my license, his proof of insurance and copy of the registration. It was pouring rain and after some time the trooper walked up and knocked on the window and said " here is your documents, I would like your permission to search the car,"
This was a brand new white Cadillac Deville, less than four thousand miles on the clock and immaculate inside, clean as a whistle, the trooper, however was soaked and muddy, and I told said trooper I really do not see the need. I said "my uncle is a neat freak and I am not even supposed to drink soda in the car, there is nothing here. I really do not think you have a need to search this car." I was told to exit the vehicle, placed in the squad car, and told that a police dog was being brought to search the car. I asked on what grounds, and i was told they did not need grounds, as the dog search was not covered by constitutional protection.
I was forced to sit while they ran that dog over, around and inside that brand new Cadillac. That dog was covered in mud and he left paw prints on the new leather seats, the carpet and all over my stuff in the trunk. There were scatches all over the car from them jumping the dog onto the hood and on the the trunk lid. the cops kept laughing as they ran the dog over and over on the drivers seat. finally I was told " next time don't mess with us when we tell you to let us search your car," They tossed me the keys and drove away the last officer making sure he spun his wheels on the gravel shoulder again hittin me and the car with a nrew barrage of muck and stones.
My Uncle had his insurance cover it and I asked him repeatedly to talk to our lawyer about it, and he just said ," Pete, sometimes i have to drive in Georgia " and he shrugged his shoulders.
After going through this as a 40 something white guy who is not usually known as raving lunatic, I can only imagine what happens if you are a hispanic or black family man. sure sometimes cars do have and illegal substance in it, but is the rare arrest worth the removal of our personal freedoms.?
