Can police search a wallet that was dropped off at a police station?
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Can police search a wallet that was dropped off at a police station?
I lost my wallet recently and someone else found it and dropped it off at the police station. I have a fake ID in the wallet and wanted to know if they have the right to search my wallet which would result in them finding the ID. If so,
could they actually arrest me for it?
Asked on June 4, 2017 under Criminal Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
The police have the right to inspect the wallet. This inlcudes checking out the indentifation information contained in it. Think about it, how else can they reach out to the owner to ensure its proper return. Having a fake ID is a misdemeanor, a criminal offense. In PA, you can be charged with "Possession of False Identification Card" and it doesn’t matter whether you use the ID, you can still be charged. A conviction of possessing false identification as a summary offense carries a sentence of up to 90 days in jail and a $300 fine.
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