Do mailmen have the same rights as police men in terms of random searches?

**Bojangles69** · 03-16-2010, 08:41 PM

This is what I've always thought I'd like to know if I'm wrong.

Mail is only searched usually as imports through customs internationally. Like if a package comes from Europe to the US, 10% of these packages are searched on avg but it depends more specifically on the ports it goes through.
I heard miami searches way more then 10% but that newark actually rarely searches anything.

What I'm curious about is domestic mail. Can a mailman legally search a package going from one state to another if they have no reasonable cause? Because the ONLY time I ever heard of someone getting in trouble domestically was when a package accidentally ripped open and then the police were alerted to the contents. But if a package is going from one state to another there is NO search points it goes through right? Packages can only be searched IN CUSTOMS or am I wrong?

I was under the assumption that its a violation of civil rights if a mailman searches domestic mail, but if its international mail there are laws that allow it because mainly they don't want bombs or biowarfare coming in as imports to harm our country.
What can a mailman legally do? If its a violation for me to go through your mail, how is that any different for a mailman? I understand police have the right to search under suspicion (which needs to be signed off by a judge as a warrant) but if theres no rat or snitch, no reasonable cause, just another package going domestically through the mail.. is it legal to search?

I'm not sure how I gathered all these ideas but I'm curious if anyone can correct me on what I think I know, thanks! (and this doesn't associate to anything I'm doing right now I've just genuinely been curious for some time about a mailmans rights) thanks!

**lovbyts** · 03-16-2010, 11:53 PM

I dont think the generic mailmen have any rights to open your mail. Only the specific qualified mail inspectors. Mailmen are nothing more than delivery boys/women.

**Bojangles69** · 03-17-2010, 12:11 AM

Awesome thanks! I've always seen it the same way too and I think they only hire those inspectors to work at customs/ports of entry.
I remember one day I went to pick up a box and was rather cocky about it, the mailman shook it and heard glass and told me it sounded fragile, and said there should have been a label on the box.
I asked him "are you suppose to be shaking my mail?" and he just handed it to me and said he was sorry. Even though I thought they had no right before that day, I was suprised by how quick he reacted like he was almost scared his boss would hear me or something.

And after that my fear of ordering domestic kinda just dissolved entirely. Its just weird how paranoid I use to be about using mail, and how now I actually consider mail safer then the streets or gym. I think a lot of people also have the wrong idea about mail being risky, I think if you really did the math you'd see you had nearly the same chance of getting struck by lighting as you did of ever running in LE through the mail.

(knock on wood lol)

**JDawg1536** · 03-17-2010, 12:15 AM

With the speed at which mail service operates today, it seems highly unlikely that they would even have the time to search anything. When you can overnight a package from Maine to San Diego, I don't think there would be an inspection line for them to go through.

**Bojangles69** · 03-17-2010, 12:27 AM

edit.. that was way too much info

**Bojangles69** · 03-17-2010, 12:53 AM

edit..

**lovbyts** · 03-17-2010, 02:04 AM

Originally Posted by Bojangles69

edit..

LOL, a little to much information?

I was going to PM you and say Hmmm maybe you dont want all that out there. LOL

**JDawg1536** · 03-17-2010, 02:15 AM

Originally Posted by lovbyts

LOL, a little to much information?

I was going to PM you and say Hmmm maybe you dont want all that out there. LOL

Don't worry. I screen printed it and forwarded it to the proper authorities already.

**Bojangles69** · 03-17-2010, 02:18 AM

Originally Posted by lovbyts

LOL, a little to much information?

I was going to PM you and say Hmmm maybe you dont want all that out there. LOL

Yeh no sometimes I def do get a little more comfortable around here then I should be. Thanks for the headsup it was well needed.

**Bojangles69** · 03-17-2010, 02:20 AM

Originally Posted by JDawg1536

Don't worry. I just commmited suicide and don't realize it yet.

fixed lulz

**JDawg1536** · 03-17-2010, 02:34 AM

Originally Posted by Bojangles69

fixed lulz

I wish.... this gonorrhea is killing me!

**Kratos** · 03-17-2010, 09:15 AM

1st class mail = expectation of privacy
they need a warrent to open

**RANA** · 03-17-2010, 09:28 AM

Customs/CBP/ICE can open any international package, it's called border search authority.
The USPS CAN NOT open any packages without a search warrant. Having said that if a package should get damaged on transport and is opened by being damaged they could view it while taping it and if it looks suspicious they can report it to authorities.