Opinion ID: 1459439
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Statutory Weapons Searches

Text: Based on the facts alleged in the amended complaint, the searches and seizures of plaintiffs during Operation Retro-Fit were not reasonable weapons searches. Louisiana Revised Statutes Annotated § 14:95.4(A) provides that [a]ny person entering an alcoholic beverage outlet ..., by the fact of such entering, shall be deemed to have consented to a reasonable search of his person for any firearm by a law enforcement officer ... without the necessity of a warrant. Two factual allegations dispel any contention that this statute authorized the searches in this case. First, the searches conducted were not limited to searches for weapons. The presence of drug sniffing dogs and the assistance of narcotics and parole officers suggests that the searches were for evidence of crimes, not only firearms. Second, the searches were not reasonablea statutory requirement for the presumed-consent searches. The deputy sheriffs pointed guns at, physically assaulted, and threatened plaintiffs. Jonathan was pushed to the ground at gunpoint and searched. Mabou was searched at gunpoint. Christine was forced to the ground at gunpoint and searched. Carley, a minor staying in the separate apartment, was shoved against the wall. Christine, Carley, Erica, and Olivia were all removed from the premises. Lyle and Dar were seized, assaulted, searched, and removed to a secure location. These searches and seizures were not reasonable manifestations of the statutorily permitted search to which persons consent when they enter a bar. [28]