Postal Letter

Search warrent required?

During an investigation detectives check the last know residence of their suspect or person of interest. They find that the person has moved. They find the receipt portion of a US postal service address change form. In order to retrieve that information from the US post service is a search warrant required to get that information. Cell phone company's are often served with warrant for searches during investigations.

Public Comments

1. They need another search warrant yes- new adress, new warrant.
2. There are no 'receipts' for a US postal service change of address form. The postal service usually gives out this new address, and no warrant would be needed by the police if they had any clue that a change of address had been posted with the USPS.
3. No. The person that moved left the information behind; abandoned property. The address is not protected unless legally required by state ( ex:an officer's home address is protected information). Good luck with your homework.
4. Legally they need a search warrant but they will talk to the carrier for that address and that person will provide it , it happens all the time.
5. I am not a lawyer but, I believe since the change of address information is public a search warrant would not be required.
6. The USPS sells Change of Address information to publishers. A COA is given to the post office with this understanding. Since the information is not inherently private, I wouldn't imagine that the postal customer would have any standing to object to the release of the information without a warrant. The USPS could well require a warrant -- or, at least, a subpoena -- to release the information, but that's their decision.
7. Change of address is public information
8. no, they dont need a warrant to get the info from the post office. because its another goverment agengy. besides thats public information, anybody could call up and get it. as far as searching the residence, remember the arrest warrant is not a search warrant. you need positive proof that soembody id in the house to get a search warrant, what they do is called a knock and talk, they knock on the door and when u answer they strongly suggest you let them in to search, and threaten that they will get a search warrant if you dont, or they say the arrest warrant lets them search and you "have" to sign a paper authorizing the search, sometimes they will just push thier way in when you answer the door. the best thing to do is NOT ANSWER THE DOOR. and dont make any sounds, if they hear you in there they can bust down the door because it means you purposfully impeading the investigation by not answering and possible hiding the fugitive and that give them the right to kick the door in. if you do it right they will go away. they may stake out the house for awhile but they will take off eventually. also if you do answer the door by accident and are not the suspect but he is in the house. immediatly walk out the door and lock it behind you. when they ask to search say let me see the search warrant (they dont have one or they wouldnt have knock they would have kicked the door in and put a gun in your face) when they show you the arrest warrant deney them entry then say "im late for work and my boss dosnt care about ur problems" cuz they will say "it will only take a minute" (more like hours). then just get in your car or start walking and leave. they cant go in once you leave as long as nobody inside makes any noises and the doors are locked.