A major decision that will impact Minnesotans’ privacy rights is waiting to be heard in the state’s court of Appeals.
It all started off simply enough. Jason and Jackie Wiebesick were a Golden Valley couple who lived in a duplex. One day, officials from the city approached them to ask permission to inspect their home. The stated reason was to collect information so as to make a decision over whether to renew the Wiebesick’s rental license.
Disturbed by the prospect of unfamiliar people walking around their home, the Wiebesick’s turned down the inspectors’ request. One might think it would have ended there, but the city saw to it that it didn’t.
Taking the case to court, Golden Valley authorities implored a county judge to issue a warrant overriding the Wiebesick’s objections and allowing them into the house. Tellingly, the judge refused their request for a warrant, prompting the city to reach even higher.
See video about the case on the next page:
If you will read the local court opinion it shows that the US Supreme Court has previously held that housing code inspections do not violate the 4th amendment. This judge made a decision based on Minnesota law, not the 4th amendment. This particular house is a duplex. The people in the story are the landlords, but also live in one of the units. The tenants in the other unit also refused the inspection.
With a rental property, the whole building is available for an inspection. Wanna live in a city, follow the city laws. That simple.
Freedom within a city is always limited. That is democratic socialism in action. We still have our freedoms intact, but if you want true constitutional freedom, don’t live in a city.
Hell, what if there is a serious code violation that could endanger their lives and the lives of the tenants and because they are not electricians or carpenters etc. they aren’t even aware of it?
I hope the appeals court rules in favor of the city. The rules are in place to protect us all from stupid people.
Unless the city owns the property then they can’t do that.
THIS$#%&!@*WILL STOP WHEN TRUMP IS PRESIDENT ..
Are they renting it from the city? If so the city is the landlord and the landlord should have access to his property when they want.
It’s time to rein in the governments, alright then we should be able to inspect their homes
This c**p has to stop. The Gestapo isn’t going to take over this country.
So far no ones rights have been violated. There are three ways for the government to enter you house, certain emergence situations, permission or a warrant. They simply asked permission ( they are allowed to that), and then they sought out a warrant, which was denied. The government has not entered the home at this point, which would be a violation of rights. Further more there is much more to this story we aren’t being told
i’m reading into this artical that it’s a commercial property the city want’s to inspect, default to no commercial license
This is why the second amendment is so important.