Unlawful Search Attorneys

Civil Rights lawyers at the People’s Law Office have successfully represented individuals who were victimized by unlawful searches of their homes and persons for decades. If you or a loved one was subjected to an intrusive search, you may entitled to money damages.Please contact us for a free initial consultation.

Illegal Search and Seizure

The Constitution of the United States guarantees the right of all persons to be free from unreasonable searches. It is said that “a man’s house is his castle” and the police and other law enforcement officials must respect a person’s home. The Supreme Court has repeatedly confirmed that entering a home without a warrant is unlawful, in the absence of consent or another exception. The manner or the way a search is conducted must also be reasonable and not malicious or unnecessarily disruptive or damaging. Such an intrusion is a violation of your rights and may have devastating and lasting consequences to you.

Strip Searches

And there is nothing more private than one’s own body and being required to rearrange your clothing exposing your naked body or being strip searched is a fundamental violation of your bodily integrity. Being treated in this manner is unacceptable in civilized society. Such “searches” can be excruciatingly humiliating. Courts uniformly condemn intrusive searches and describe strip searches as “demeaning,” “dehumanizing,” “undignified,” “humiliating,” “terrifying,” “unpleasant,” “embarrassing,” “repulsive,” and “signify degradation and submission.” Courageous transgender individuals may be particularly vulnerable.

People’s Law Office civil rights attorneys have represented many victims of such intrusive searches, including a 65 year old man stripped by Chicago Police in the public alley behind his home, 17 year old youth stripped of their clothing by police in a municipal lock up and family members of prisoners strip searched before they were allowed to visit their loved ones. Each was awarded money damages. If you, or someone you know, experienced an intrusive search contact us today.