Hi,

I'm an 18 year old male. I go to college in Washington, D.C. but this summer I'm staying at my mom's house in Texas.

Last night, I got into a bit of trouble with my mom. She consequently took my cell phone, my laptop, and my iPod without my consent and refuses to return them to me. Since she has taken them, she has been searching through all my text messages, etc.

Considering that I am not a minor (18+), isn't it against the law for her to seize my private property (I own everything that she took)? And even further, isn't it illegal for her to search through my private messages?

I am on her property (I live in her house temporarily), but I am more than willing to move out immediately, as I can support myself.

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Originally Posted by mccluret

Hi,

I'm an 18 year old male. I go to college in Washington, D.C., but this summer I'm staying at my mom's house in Texas.

Last night, I got into a bit of trouble with my mom. She consequently took my cell phone, my laptop, and my iPod without my consent and refuses to return them to me. Since she has taken them, she has been searching through all my text messages, etc.

Considering that I am not a minor (18+), isnt' it against the law for her to seize my private property (I own everything that she took)? And even further, isn't it illegal for her to search through my private messages?

I am on her property (I live in her house temporarily), but I am more than willing to move out immediately, as I can support myself.

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Whether she can or can't she has and your only recourse would be to go to the Police and file a complaint and demand the return of your property - which I don't think they are going to entertain. Depending on the "trouble" she can claim she was looking for evidence of illegal activity because she doesn't want drugs (or whatever) in her house.

Depends on how much of the "trouble" you want aired in public.

So if you want to do whatever it is that caused this problem in the first place or get your stuff back, move out - otherwise it's her house, her rules. You are only there for the Summer, anyway, so go back to your Father's and avoid further confrontation.

There is little you could do. Other than move out. As said you are in her house so you have to follow her rules. You can call the police station and see if they will help but unless you live in nowheresville with a crime rate of zero they won't spend any time on it and tell you what we have just told you.

I had the same problem with mine and you know what I finally said enough I moved out with very little money and I struggled for months on end but now I am a lot happier. I have not spoken to either of my parents but I have control of my own life, yes it very hard at times and I make plenty of mistakes but I learn from them. It is up to you I wouldn't get the police invloved unless you are ready to move out because she'll kick you out more then anything.

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Originally Posted by davejag

I had the same problem with mine and you know what I finally said enough I moved out with very little money and I struggled for months on end but now I am a lot happier. I have not spoken to either of my parents but I have controll of my own life, yes it very hard at times and I make plenty of mistakes but I learn from them. It is up to you I wouldn't get the police invloved unless you are ready to move out becuase she'll kick you out more then anything.

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OP also has to look at who pays the College tuition - that's a consideration. Hopefully OP does or has loans/grant/scholarships -

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Whether she can or can't she has and your only recourse would be to go to the Police and file a complaint and demand the return of your property - which I don't think they are going to entertain. Depending on the "trouble" she can claim she was looking for evidence of illegal activity because she doesn't want drugs (or whatever) in her house.

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Yeah she was basically looking for evidence. I'm not really concerned about that though, because she wouldn't possibly actually turn me in to the police.

Furthermore, my laptop and iPod were unrelated to the incident. The reason she took them away, she tells me, has nothing to do with looking for evidence (although she looked through all of my private stuff).

I work at a law firm and I'm going to talk to one of my bosses about it today to clarify what the law states.

Thanks for the help everyone.

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Originally Posted by mccluret

Yeah she was basically looking for evidence. I'm not really concerned about that though, because she wouldn't possibly actually turn me in to the police.

Furthermore, my laptop and iPod were unrelated to the incident. The reason she took them away, she tells me, has nothing to do with looking for evidence (although she looked through all of my private stuff).

I work at a law firm and I'm gonna talk to one of my bosses about it today to clarify what the law states.

Thanks for the help everyone.

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Please come back and tell us what the law says - I'd be interested because the question has been asked before.

(On second thought if your mother is looking for evidence that would be of interest to the Police I'm not sure I'd bring this to the attention of a employer law firm.)

Does not matter what the law states to be honest, she is your mom and if you live in her house you live under her rules, anything else is lack or recpect for your mom.

If you were not doing anything wrong you would not have her looking for evidence.

Also even if police came to HER house she could give them permision to search her house, including your property in her house

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Does not matter what the law states to be honest, she is your mom and if you live in her house you live under her rules, anything else is lack or recpect for your mom.

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Like I said, I'm more than willing to move out. And I know that I have a lack of respect for her. But that's another story. What I'm worried about here is what the law says. I couldn't care less otherwise.

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Originally Posted by mccluret

Like I said, I'm more than willing to move out. And I know that I have a lack of respect for her. But that's another story. What I'm worried about here is what the law says. I could care less otherwise.

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Well, you know what the law is so stand on your own two feet and move out -

Your "I could care less otherwise" statement says volumes.