Not enough people in the United States know their rights when it comes to police searches and seizures, and this is a problem. Some people get so intimidated around the police, even if they did nothing wrong. Others just do not know if and when police are overstepping their authority. There are certain rights people have that protect them, even against the police, such as when they can say “no” to a police search.

Law enforcement officers do not always have the right to conduct a search. First, the police must have reasonable suspicion that a crime has occurred or will occur. If they ask to search a person, his or her belongings, and/ or his or her home or vehicle, the person can deny the police. Then, the police must get a search warrant from a judge in order to move forward...