Ok my roommates and I are casual marijuana smokers. We pretty much keep it to ourselves and do not seem to be a bother to the other neighbors. Still I want to be VERY prepared in case the police come knocking on my door. My solution is this:
When the police knock and if they ask to come in and "take a look" I will be very respectful and say something such as "Everything seems to be fine here, I'm sorry but I don't think that would be necessary." Since I denied entry the police will need to get a warrent (which will take time). Even if they can enter under "probable cause" (idk if they can in Florida), it will still take time to get the keys from the main office. I can use this time to clean my apartment of ANYTHING marijuana related (flush down the toilet, etc.). Yes I know this makes me appear guilty as sin, but I feel it is atleast better than letting the police in with the stuff in plain view. I do not feel as if I am being rude, just excercising my rights.
Yes I do understand reality is different than the law. If a cop wants in your apartment\car they will. I don't know how many times I've been pulled over for speeding and the officer asked to search my car. Refusing will almost certinly get me the ticket, but nicely concenting to the serach allowed me to get off of the ticket. I have also heard tales of the police holding you as a "material witness" until they obtain the warrent (which they most surely will). There is more than one way to skin a cat so to speak.
With the above being said what is my BEST option, REALISTICLY SPEAKING, if an officer knocks on my door and there is stuff within plain view or a pungent odor of the substance lurking throughout the apartment.
When the police knock and if they ask to come in and "take a look" I will be very respectful and say something such as "Everything seems to be fine here, I'm sorry but I don't think that would be necessary." Since I denied entry the police will need to get a warrent (which will take time). Even if they can enter under "probable cause" (idk if they can in Florida), it will still take time to get the keys from the main office. I can use this time to clean my apartment of ANYTHING marijuana related (flush down the toilet, etc.). Yes I know this makes me appear guilty as sin, but I feel it is atleast better than letting the police in with the stuff in plain view. I do not feel as if I am being rude, just excercising my rights.
Yes I do understand reality is different than the law. If a cop wants in your apartment\car they will. I don't know how many times I've been pulled over for speeding and the officer asked to search my car. Refusing will almost certinly get me the ticket, but nicely concenting to the serach allowed me to get off of the ticket. I have also heard tales of the police holding you as a "material witness" until they obtain the warrent (which they most surely will). There is more than one way to skin a cat so to speak.
With the above being said what is my BEST option, REALISTICLY SPEAKING, if an officer knocks on my door and there is stuff within plain view or a pungent odor of the substance lurking throughout the apartment.