Yet another reason to refuse a search in TN

Just to answer a few questions aimed at me:

No, it's not against the law to carry large sums of money. I never said that it was. Also, I read about this and watched a video where the man was interviewed, and he himself said that he was traveling for business, and that he had the cash onhand because he was trying to buy a car via internet auction.

Next, I have been told, by friends and family in Law Enforcement, as well as by clients I have served (sheriff's departments and city police), that in order for a police officer to search your car (legally), they must have a warrant, and in order to get a warrant, they must have probable cause. A Judge must approve the warrant before the officer can search your vehicle, and some judges are less picky than others about the details of the probable cause. K-9s are one way to get probable cause, and they are pretty much indisputable, but there are other ways. A torch lighter can be enough to get probable cause for a warrant, and in some cities near where I live, an officer can use "He was speeding, and his car smells funny." as probable cause. Now, warrants can take a little while to get, a couple hours some times, and they have the right to detain you during this time, so, you could spend several hours sitting around waiting for them to search your vehicle. All that said, as it has been mentioned on this thread, state troopers are the least likely to give you any trouble. My cousin is a state trooper, and he has told me numerous times that his general rule is that he will only pull someone over if they are driving more than 10 miles per hour over the POSTED speed limit, and even then, he doesn't always write a ticket. His main motives are: one, let people see State Troopers in action, as it typically makes them more alert, and more likely to drive a little safer, and two, to snoop around for drugs, or signs of drugs. My reccomendations for driving through the mediocre state of tennessee: (1) stay on the interstate as much as possible, (2) if you get off the interstate, observe the speed limit, (3) while on the interstate inside city limits, try to keep your speed to no more than 5MPH over the posted speed limit.

Finally, I define liberty as the right to live free of oppression, and I don't consider a cop legally searching your property and taking your bank roll because he thinks you might be a drug dealer to be oppression, at least not as long as you get it back.

It's not my intent to argue, I just wanted to be clear about what I was saying.

Oddly enough the drug task force people are always facing the west side of the interstate.

To catch those stupid Yanks driving to Roo, obvs.

I'd also like to point out that the area this fella was stopped in is basically the Meth Capital of the South. Monterey is on the Cumberland Plateau which produces a RIDICULOUS amount of meth.

And as a disclaimer, I'm not saying what this cop did was right at all, but sometimes it helps to be knowledgeable on the background of areas/situations.

???

Like I said, I don't think what the cop did was right. BUT, these cops are suspicious because of the high amount of drug activity in the area.

Be courteous and honest and usually you'll get the same in return.

I have heard of this practice before. The usual case is an individual who has connections/relations with known felons or crossing state lines with a large amount of cash. The crossing state lines excuse has to do with tax differences between states. A large enough amount of money combined with motive could land you a tax evasion charge. However this is all still ridiculous. There's no way they can keep the money if they can't prove you were doing anything illegal. The cop in this article should be reprimanded.
Another thing: the cops can not hold you against your will without a proper signed warrant or a charge to give you that would put you in cuffs. As stated already, if they are attempting to get a warrant, they have no right to keep you there until the warrant is validated. Just don't take off without telling the officer you can not wait and will be leaving. I had a buddy who knew the law, wasn't going to wait on a warrant and just left while the cop was sitting in his car. Ended up getting charged with attempt to flee and got his car searched for that reason alone. Just mind your P's & Q's and be aware of how you say things. The biggest trick in a cop's book is twisting your words to allow them to do what they want to do.

In good ole Georgia, you do not have to wear a seatbelt in the cab of a truck or in the backseat of any vehicle. I know it's probably stupid but when driving my truck, I never wear a seatbelt. Maybe it's the libertarian in me practicing all my rights, maybe I feel more comfortable. I'm not sure but I can do it and do it often

The cops are crooked around here. About 7 years ago a guy tried to break down my door at 3:00am and he threatened to kill me if I didn't open up. He was tweaking and confused my apartment with his friend's place. I called the police and they found him at a party in the building next door. The cop brought him over and said, "He's going to apologize to you". I told her that I wanted to press charges because he scared me to death. She said that she knew him and that she wasn't going to let me press charges. I looked at the guy and said, "If you ever come near me or my apartment again...". The cop looked at me and said, "Ma'am, are you threatening him?" I was like, "Are you serious? He threatened to kill me if I didn't let him in and he tried to kick my door in!" She could have cared less. I tried reporting her to her sergeant and he didn't care either. Don't trust a cop in TN...Cuz I sure as hell don't!

Faux political ideology? What on earth is that supposed to mean? Libertarianism has been practiced for hundreds of years. I'm not sure what you're trying to allude to but if you are asserting that libertarianism is not creditable, I'm at a loss of words. Simply means that as a practicing libertarian, I use my rights as I see fit and do not stand in the way of others doing the same, whether it applies to a seatbelt law or carrying a firearm is regardless. Please explain what makes libertarianism a faux political ideology?

$#!T just got real

Hahaha. Well Juggs, I knew this day would come after all my lurking on the boards. Didn't even realize it was you until I looked at your profile. Honestly, I'm a big fan, you're fucking hilarious.
I am a libertarian, doesn't make me like the little "Trustafarians" that make up the majority of college populations these days. I honestly believe everyone should have all the rights and liberties associated with living on this planet so that they may do what they may without harming other individuals and at the same time have a strict, no hand outs fiscal policy. This ideology became my own not in college, but while enlisted in the Army. It's just a low thing to call ones political ideology preferences faux. In the words of Voltaire: "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."

*Sigh* This board sometimes.

Well that went better than expected, enjoy some diddly swag.

Also want to reiterate the law about getting over for stopped emergency vehicles. I had two friends get pulled over for not doing this, even though they were blocked in their lane (at least this is what they told me). Either way the cops seem in TN seem to be strict about this.