Arkansas Municipal League

Fayetteville, AR: (Aug-20-07) David Robbins and Debra Steenblock brought a lawsuit against the Rogers Police Department, alleging that they were subjected to a late night, warrantless, illegal search by Rogers police. In their defense, police claimed they entered the house Oct. 11, 2003, without a warrant because they were concerned about the welfare of a child in the home. The search was spurred on by a tip off by a confidential informant, who claimed that there was a methamphetamine lab in the house. Police found drugs and drug paraphernalia in the house. Robbins and Steenblock entered conditional guilty pleas in Benton County Circuit Court, and then appealed, arguing the evidence should be suppressed. The local trial court ruled the officers acted in good faith. But, the court of appeals said the initial entry was illegal, so the evidence obtained later using a search warrant was tainted and inadmissible. Justices said police had ample time to obtain a warrant but didn't. In a settlement reached, the Arkansas Municipal League has agreed to pay $25,000 to settle the federal civil rights lawsuit. [MORNING NEWS: POLICE WARRANT]

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Published on Aug-22-07