a guest staying at a motel? I work at the front desk of a motel and the police came in asking the room number of a guest staying here. I felt weird just telling them -as we are not allowed to give that info out to the general public. Should I have required they produce a warrant? Did I comprimise the guests privacy by giving the room number to the police? Does anyone know what the proper procedure and/or laws are concerning a situation of this nature?
2007-06-28 09:15:55 · 10 answers · asked by calebjohnsmom 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I'd think that would be governed by company policy; I'd kick it upstairs and ask management.
As A rule; unless otherwise directed, I'd give the police the information.
2007-06-28 09:18:54 · answer #1 · answered by wizjp 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should really chat with the corporate office of whatever chain you work for.
Laws vary from state to state, but generally innkeepers will provide information to cops under the presumption that it is for a lawful purpose, i.e. the active investigation of a crime.
However, you and your company expose yourself to civil liability all kinds of ways by doing so.
For example, the cops run a plate linked to some vehicular crime. You tell them they are staying in room 201. Cops go kick in the door, grab the guy, cuff him up, he has a heart attack & dies.
Ooops, turns out the clerk before you put the real guy in room 210. Guess who gets sued besides the motel? You.
Very trick situation here, I would demand a legal finding by the owner's attorney put in writing.
2007-06-28 16:23:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's not typically confidential information, any more than an address. I know that I've called hotels and asked which room a particular person was in, and they've told me. I didn't even have to identify myself.
They only need a warrant to search the room, and even then, only if the person doesn't let them in himself.
2007-06-28 16:26:28 · answer #3 · answered by Bryan F 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thingk you did good. I mean, they are not the general public, the are the police...so I wouldn't retain any information if the police is asking me......you can still check with the hotel procedures, but I am pretty sure you did the right thing!!
Good luck!
2007-06-28 16:20:54 · answer #4 · answered by georgie_hp 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You did not do anything wrong, but you are right that without a warrant they did not have a right to trespass. Truthfully, I would be more concerned with the possibility of having someone on the premises committing a crime than the police breaking someone's right to privacy, because that is not your fault. That is the police's business, and it is their lawsuit if they are wrong.
2007-06-28 16:25:09 · answer #5 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A cop is the general public unless he has a warrant. If they ask and you give it to them, they didnt do anything wrong. People really need to know their rights in situations like that, the hotel could be sued for invasion of privacy.
2007-06-28 16:21:43 · answer #6 · answered by lllll 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Definitely should have had them produce a warrant.
2007-06-28 16:20:09 · answer #7 · answered by holykrikey 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
your hotel should have a list of policies and procedures i would ask them not people on yahoo
2007-06-28 16:19:28 · answer #8 · answered by 101 Airborne 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should not tell them anything..they need a serch warrent
2007-06-28 16:19:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Ask your Boss.....
2007-06-28 16:19:42 · answer #10 · answered by Ken C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋