I was recently told that if you have a lock on your purse then the po-po can't search it, even if they search your person. If your purse is locked they can't break the lock to look in it... just like a a lock from a diary or something. any clue weather this is true or not?

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Excerpt from Amendment IV of the Constitution, "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated..."

Generally, whether the area being searched is secure or not has no bearing on an officer who intends to search it under probable cause. Be sure to make it known to the officer that you have no intention on waiving any or your constitutional rights, but do not physically resist if they proceed.

Your right against illegal search and seizure is most powerful in your home and in your immediate living area outside your home. Once you leave that area, while you may still be protected, things begin to get grey when it comes to the protections afforded your effects, like your vehicle.

thanks for that, but i'm still not sure weather that answers my question, beside the fact the law is gray when outside my home.

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Kodiakgirl2006, from my experience, when your out in public, they can look wherever they want.
Just depends on the cop.