The right to privacy is one basic right guaranteed by United States law. A reasonable expectation of privacy is available to people when they are in their own homes. Even if you are not a homeowner, you can enjoy the right of reasonable expectation of privacy. If you believe that your right to privacy has been violated, you can take action against the perpetrator. Here, I will discuss the reasonable expectation of privacy and how it relates to discrimination in housing situations.
What is the Reasonable Expectation of Privacy?
There are a few different types of expectation of privacy. One is the reasonable expectation of privacy from law enforcement agents. In these situations, law enforcement agents need warrants to search your private property. This upholds your right to privacy. But here, I want to talk about the violation of your right to privacy by another private citizen, such as a neighbor, a landlord, or a maintenance worker.
You can have a reasonable expectation of privacy in your own home. This is the case even if you do not own the property. Tenants who rent property also have the right to a reasonable expectation of privacy. A few common examples of a violation of this privacy include:
- Physically entering your home.
- Spying.
- Using electronic equipment to monitor someone in their home.
You should not experience any of these issues when you dwell in your home.
Right to Privacy and Discrimination
Violation of the reasonable expectation of privacy is a crime in itself. But, if the motive is discrimination against a person, the consequences can be more severe. If your privacy is violated, consider the motives for that violation. You can seek justice for the violation of your privacy as well as discrimination if discrimination relates to the situation.
Getting Help
When trying to prove a violation of your right to privacy, you need to determine if you had a reasonable expectation of privacy in the situation. If you did not have a reasonable expectation of privacy, you will have a hard time proving your case. You should write down the facts of your situation as soon as possible after the incident. This way, you will remember everything that happened in detail. Give this information to a civil rights attorney. They can sort through the evidence and determine if you should take action.
At Ruane Attorneys, we cover cases related to privacy issues and discrimination. We can discuss your situation during a free consultation and determine the next steps.