[BuckingFastard]

Originally Posted by MathGeek

Most good attorneys will advise to never consent to a voluntary search, and I follow that advice. Of course, they also advise not to attempt to prevent a law enforcement officer from conducting a search, even if it appears to be illegal, and I follow that advice to.

I won't be opening the ice chest for them, but I won't prevent them from boarding the boat and opening it themselves if they feel they must. But I'll politely make it clear that I have not consented to the search.

I know some very good lawyers who would love to sue law enforcement who feels intent on taking retributive actions for the above approach.

Taking retributive actions against a citizen (giving him a "very long bad day") who politely declines a search request is a good way to end a law enforcement career and make the agency responsible for awards in the 6-7 figure range.

thats right.