Rights are Being Violated

To the Editor:

Tuesday’s paper reported that a Houston man was arrested during a traffic stop after a “probable cause” search was conducted. The phrase “probable cause” comes directly from the Bill of Rights, Article IV (4).

The Article reads in full as follows- “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.”

The law is clear that a “warrant” must “issue upon probable cause,” “particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” This Houston man’s individual right to be secure, according to the law, was violated, as there was no “warrant” issued, even though there was “probable cause.” His person was “seized,” as well as his “effects” which are his personal belongings; property.

For the record, I have no affiliation with this fellow American from Houston, other than he and I being guaranteed protection under the same law of the Bill of Rights from “searches” and “seizures” without a warrant issuing first.

Katie Hamborsky

West Point