Arrest, Search, Seizure, Warrant Coerced signed permission to search

[calalily]

My son was coercered into signing permission to search his apartment with dogs. He was in his apartment and a police officer entered without permission or knocking looking for a runaway. The runaway was at the door and the policeofficer pushed him into the apartment thus entering. My son said that he told the police officer that he had no right to be there and leave. The officer said he smelled marijuana smoke as the door opened and he called for back up. Other officers arrived and my son kept telling them they didn't have permission to be in there. A pipe was in view and the runaway said it was his. they told my son (21 yrs old) to sign it for the dogs to come and he kept telling them no. They took him to the back room by himself and threatened to arrest him with a felony, harboring a runaway , if he refused to sign. So, he signed and they found .3 ounces of marijuana. The runaway said it was his. They arrested my son on charges of possesion. The runaway's brother had been aprehended at another apartment and told the officer that his brother was at my sons. My son did not know the boys were runaways (15 yr old twins). The boy was not in the apartment, but outside making a call and was returning to the apartment when the officer pushed inside. They had been missing for three months and hanging around the apartments and my son befriended them (same age as his brother), playing video games and letting them hang out from time to time. Did the officers have the right to enter and was it coercion to get him to sign the paper? He has witnesses that heard him refuse repeatedly. I am anxiously waiting your reply. Calalily

 

[calalily]

Coerced in Texas

Just wanted to add that this took place in Texas. The officers also threatened to keep everyone there in the apartment (about five people) all night if they had to (wanting my son to sign consent) and sent a man home who tried to help my son with advise not to sign it. That's when they separated him from the others. Thank you.