Rap mogul Jay-Z’s song “99 Problems” was released in 2003, but it still remains a mainstay in our iPods and on the radio. There’s just one problem, though. Jigga is giving us some bad legal advice in the track. According to Law Professor Caleb Mason from Southwestern Law School, Jigga’s line in the song, “Well, my glove compartment is locked/ so is the trunk in the back/
And I know my rights/ so you gon’ need a warrant for that,” is inaccurate.
Check out what the professor says below:
“Based on the number of my students who arrived at law school believing that if you lock your trunk and glove compartment, the police will need a warrant to search them, I surmise that it’s even more widespread among the lay public. But it’s completely, 100% wrong.”
The law professor sets the record straight and give some great advice if you ever catch yourself in a situation where the police want to search your vehicle:
“The lesson for perps is threefold: (1) don’t consent, (2) know the reasonable suspicion boilerplate and don’t provide it, and (3) make a record of the encounter any way you can, including your behavior, appearance, and demeanor before and during the stop, the officer’s stated motive for the stop, all of your responses to questioning, whether or not you were placed under arrest, and the exact amount of time you were held on the side of the road. And finally, most importantly, for both sides–when in doubt, talk to a lawyer. My door’s always open to players on both sides of this game. Call me.”
There you have it!