confused and paranoid

get a lawyer. if that went down just like you said it did its an illegal search and seizure. with as many people were at a college event there is no way he can say it was you that smelled of pot.
i am hoping you remained silent and did not give him permission to search you when they asked.
do not talk to the police without a lawyer present .. say nothing
execute your right to remain silent.
execute your right to a lawyer.
and even if you did snitch you will still be fucked ... cops lie.
lawyer up and get it tossed out

First of all you have rights even in the south, that's sort of a ridiculous thing to say.
Secondly, let me clue you in on something to help you get through life. When an officer of the court asks you a direct question, answer them. That police officer represents the State you are residing in. While in their official capacity they are also human. If you piss them off by dissin them, guess what.....
Third, if you are out in public and you are dong something illegal, don't walk past a cop. DOH!!
If however you enjoy the court system and giving money to lawyers, ignore the tips above.....


Good luck



out.

You made a mistake when you consented to the search.

Get a lawyer.

Do not snitch or you will be that cop's bitch forever.

Once the probable cause threshold has been breached (walking past cop smelling of weed) and not responding to a direct query, consent become moot. It's out of your hands, the best you can do at that point in time is to be polite, friendly and deflect him from thinking he has reached the threshold of probable cause.
Not responding to him only enforces that cops posit.
I'd be willing to bet that I would have walked away from that encounter unscathed. Attitude and politeness can go a long way.
People (even cops) will always take the sugar if the alternative is vinegar and a lot of paperwork.


Good Luck...

out.

No one said not to respond. You need to be polite but firm.

If the officer has probable cause, then he will arrest you anyway. Why make his job any easier?

It's only when he does not have probable that he'll try to bullshit you into waiving your constitutional rights.

"No officer, I do not consent to a search. May I go now?" is a phrase worth memorizing for just such occasions.

Originally Posted by ElBarto

No one said not to respond. You need to be polite but firm.

If the officer has probable cause, then he will arrest you anyway. Why make his job any easier?

It's only when he does not have probable that he'll try to bullshit you into waiving your constitutional rights.

"No officer, I do not consent to a search. May I go now?" is a phrase worth memorizing for just such occasions.

I agree with your statements, but he didn't respond. That's a mistake not to make. that's all..... be polite and deflect deflect deflect. If the cop is an asshole (they are out there), then no amount of politeness will work, but being confrontational or non responsive never works IMHO....


out.

first the cop had enough probal cause and as long as he can articulate himself the search is valid. second your college carreer is not in peril they cant through you out of college because of a mis arrest. 3rd dont call the cop back because once you were given the dat that part is over. the only thing you have to do is go to court where it will be dropped to a violation %90 sure. 4rth dont walk by cops after lighting up common sense says stay away. I wont go 30 feet past a cop.

Originally Posted by KidCreole

so im out with friends enjoying myself and i walk past a cop at a college event. i smell of pot and he asks where it is. i say nothing, get searched and found, and sit in a chair for four hours while the cuffs cut off circulation to one hand and the other is bleeding from where they pinned me. I got no rights down south, i know that, but they said they are wanting a name or my college career will be over. only gave me a misdamenor summons and i walked out of there that nite. im not tellin on nobody, but what do i do? cop sez i gotta call him back by a certain time today or apparently theyre gonna get me!! fuck the pigs!