http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_ec169697-a19e-525f-a532-81b3df229697.html
Essentially what's been decided is this: The police can enter your home at any time they wish, kick the door in without knocking, and you can't do anything about it. Now, if it turns out that jurisprudence wasn't exercised in what is basically a raid on your private residence, you're allowed to file a "civil action" against the officer/officers that performed the action.
To quote the Fourth Amendment:
- "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
Folks, this is how it starts. First your smaller rights are funneled away from you under the guise of a "war on terror", and then this kind of thing happens, laws that subvert your basic freedoms and rights as a citizen of this nation. I'm glad that there are people speaking out against these kinds of things, but at the same time, until someone appeals the decision, or is able to defeat it in court(after what i'm sure will be years), the police are still allowed to do the unthinkable.
Now aside from the fact that this takes a rather palpable shit all over your fourth amendment rights, imagine the capacity this has to be abused by psychopaths and criminals. If I were a citizen of Indiana, and I knew that this law had been passed, I would know it was illegal for me to resist illegal police entry into my home. If I were a less scrupulous citizen of Indiana, I would see this as a prime opportunity to perform home invasions under the guise of a police officer. Think about it:
You know that the police are essentially free to act as they please, and you know that interfering with them is going to get you into quite a bit of trouble. So, even in broad daylight if you witnessed men dressed as police officers force their way into a home, you wouldn't do anything if you valued your freedom. This even opens up the possibility for nameless government agents to masquerade as police while carrying out covert operations, all under the supposition that it's legal, thanks to the Indiana Supreme Court.
Imagine if this thing goes national. No one would be safe in their homes, subject to invasions from police or those pretending to be police. This is the kind of thing that should spur the general population into action, I know the thought of it sure terrifies me. If you feel strongly about this decision, and want to see freedom returned to the people of Indiana, register your complaint with their local government. Below are listed the names and phone numbers of those involved in the decision. Get active, stay informed.
- Indiana Supreme Court
State House, Room 315
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm
Phone: 317.232.2540 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 317.232.2540 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: 317.232.8372 - http://www.in.gov/judiciary/supreme/todays.html
- Listed on that page are the currently presiding "Justices". They are responsible for this travesty, make sure to let them know how you feel.
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