In the United States, citizens have enjoyed significant liberties that would otherwise be nonexistent in the vast majority of nations across the world. In 1791, the Bill of Rights, authored by the American founding father James Madison was added to the United States constitution, outlining the first ten amendments which have become emblazoned in the historical American ethos. One of these amendments is the 4th amendment, which prevents unreasonable searches and seizures of property by government officials of any kind, at the federal, state or local level.
While this amendment has been the subject of several supreme court cases throughout recent American history, it remains a point of contention in the present, and law enforcement officials across the nation must be careful when dealing with an individual’s private property, with or without a warrant. In one recent case, a 98 year old woman was the subject of an organized police raid in Marion County Kansas after an alleged internet search at her residence caught the attention of local law enforcement.
Joan Meyer shared a home with her son, the editor and publisher of a local newspaper. In 2023, a local restaurant owner notified the police in relation to the newspaper, claiming it illegally obtained personal information about her. Following the allegation, the raid occurred, with the restaurant owners claim utilized as probable cause. Tragically, the 98 year old Meyer died the day following the raid.
In Idaho, a 39 year old broke into an elderly woman’s home. He then handcuffed the 85 year old after assaulting her while she slept. After dragging her into a living room, the woman resisted, somehow obtaining her Magnum revolver and shot him. While the criminal did wound her, she did neutralize the threat. According to the Bingham counties sheriff’s office, the homicide was deemed “justifiable” in accordance with state law. No charges against the woman (who was also protecting her disabled son) were levied.
