A civil lawsuit has been filed in Lauderdale County, claiming that Alabama game wardens searched private properties, violating the plaintiff's rights.
Dalton Boley, Regina Williams and Dale Liles filed the lawsuit in Circuit Court, seeking damages and asking the court to bar game wardens from future searches.
Williams owns 10 acres, which she allows Boley and his children to use for camping and recreation. Liles owns 86 acres that he uses for hunting with his grandchildren. Both properties have "no trespassing" signs, and the lawsuit states that it is dangerous for anyone to enter the properties without consent because there are people hunting on the land, and "if intruders are wandering or sneaking around … they might get shot."
The plaintiffs claim the state law allowing game wardens to enter personal property without consent or a warrant is unconstitutional.
"On information and belief, DCNR officers routinely enter private land without consent or a warrant and without notifying the occupants of their entry or location, and spy on the occupants from a concealed location on the property," the lawsuit states.
Boley, a combat veteran, built trails on the land and previously used it for meditation and peace of mind. Attorneys said he also placed trail cameras in the area, which they say were "tampered with" by game wardens. Boley is also concerned that if his dogs encounter a game warden on the property, they could get shot.
"Dalton no longer uses the land to relax or meditate, as he no longer can achieve the same peace he once could, now that Alabama game wardens have explained that they may intrude on the land without his knowledge or consent," the suit states.
The lawsuit seeks $1 for each trespass, and they want an injunction for future incidents.
Lauderdale Complaint by Erica Thomas on Scribd
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