Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
If a person fights a drinking ticket, does the "anonymous" tip have to be revealed?
The background is that the cops came to a friend's house based off of a "complaint." The friends dad complied and let the cops come into the house. In the house were three twenty year-olds (that were not his kids) who were drinking. All of the underagers got a drinking ticket, then the cops charged the friends dad for distributing to minors.
My friend seems to be under the impression that if the case is fought in court, the cops have to reveal who it was that complained about the underage drinking, or else they don't have a case. I'm under the impression that they won't, as the offense has nothing to do with the person who tipped the cops off.
The reason why I'm curious, is because I'm worried that my friends dad is going to fight this under a false pretense (they want to find out who it was that complained more than they care about actually winning the case). Furthermore, if their is admission to guilt to the cops, is there any case regardless of who turned them in?
9 Answers
- JayLv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
The tip will be irrelevant. The case is built on what the police officers witnessed.
Since "the friends dad complied and let the cops come into the house" there isn't even a question of unreasonable search.
The person that gave the tip will not be mentioned anywhere in the case. If the police officer is asked by the defense attorney, he can say "I don't know" or "it was anonymous."
- Michael HLv 71 decade ago
The tip is irrelevant. The had a complaint, they investigated, the father allowed them in the house. Once in the house, they saw what they needed to see. End of story.
No, they won't reveal the source of the tip.
Even if they DID, it would make absolutely NO difference. The 'tip' is not what led to the criminal charges, it was what the police saw when they were allowed in the house.
If they want to face their accusers, then it will be the police that they face, no one else.
- 1 decade ago
No, the authorities do not have to nor will they reveal the complainant, for precisely the reason you stated. In court the officer will testify to what he saw that led him/her to issue the citations. Also, cops carry microphones on their person that record conversations. If there was an admission of guilt, that, too, will be submitted to the court.
Source(s): I work for a sheriff's office - BrianLv 41 decade ago
I'm not sure but I would think so because you do have the constitutional right to face your accuser.
Sorry, I reread this and I think you are out of luck. There was simply a complaint about noise or whatever and your friend's dad let the cops in. He really shouldn't have and they would not have legally been able to force themselves into the house.
Source(s): United States Constitution - How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
- DrixnotLv 71 decade ago
Nope, the original complaint isn't needed for a conviction.
As for facing the accuser... they will... the cops that entered the house are the accusers.
- 1 decade ago
Nope.
Best advice is to plead to a lesser charge because they are going to win. The father willingly allowed the police in the house.
- davidmi711Lv 71 decade ago
No they do not have to reveal the original complainant. The dad let them in.
- hotwheels122287Lv 71 decade ago
im pretty sure that unless the person agrees to it being revealed then they will remain anonymous.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
...ultimately (at the time of Trial) the complainant will be disclosed as "our" Constitution makes it quite clear... "we" have the Right to confront anyone who has levied a criminal charge against "us". "we" have the Right to cross-exaimine anyone who has charged us or given the Police (Probable Cause) to believe a crime was being committed !
