QUESTION
Can a police officer use a motel's master key to open my room door and arrest me?
Asked on Nov 28th, 2011 on Criminal Law - Colorado
More details to this question:
I got arrested when the police came into my motel room using a master key. They knocked on the door but I wouldn't open it. They said my name was on the hotel registry, so they knew I was in there so they used the master key to let themselves in and handcuffed me in front of my girlfriend. Is there anything I can do about this? Sue them? Get my case dropped? Anything?
2 ANSWERS
3 Awards
A hotel room has nearly the same protection as your home. If they had a warrant, they could do what they did. If they did not, they probably could not do it. If they violated the law and found some evidence, that evidence could be suppressed. But, if they do not find any evidence, there is little recourse to the unlawful action. You could file a civil rights claim, but you would likely get very little money.
Answered on Dec 01st, 2011 at 5:03 PM
An officer who has an arrest warrant my go into the residence or in this case motel room and arrest the subject of the warrant if he has reasonable grounds to believe that person is inside.
Answered on Dec 01st, 2011 at 3:13 PM