Alabama Landowners Fight Back Against Warrantless Searches!

Three Northwest Alabama residents are taking a stand against a controversial state law. They've filed a lawsuit challenging Alabama's statute that allows game wardens to search private property without a warrant. Talk about an invasion of privacy!

The Plaintiffs and the Claim

Dalton Boley and Regina Williams of Killen, and Dale Liles of Muscle Shoals, have teamed up with the Institute for Justice to fight back. They claim Alabama game wardens have repeatedly intruded on their properties, violating their rights. The lawsuit names key figures from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, including Commissioner Chris Blankenship and Director Charles Sykes, along with game wardens Chad Howell and Jarrod Poole.

What's the Issue?

These landowners aren't looking for a fortune; they're each seeking a symbolic $1 compensation for each instance of trespass. The kicker? None of them have ever been charged with hunting violations! They claim game wardens have been snooping around their land, citing a law that lets them "enter upon any land… in the performance of their duty.” Apparently, that includes your backyard, folks!

Constitutional Clash

According to the lawsuit, this Alabama statute flies in the face of the state Constitution. "The Alabama Constitution makes it clear that if the government wants to come searching on your property, they need a warrant based on probable cause, and game wardens are not exempt," says attorney Suranjan Sen of the Institute for Justice.

Stories from the Front Lines

Regina Williams and Dalton Boley say the intrusions started in 2024. Williams, who owns 10 acres, had allowed Boley and his kids to use the land for recreation. Then, game wardens showed up, changing everything. "This used to be a place where I could come to relax," says Boley, "but now that I know someone could be snooping around, I find it hard to just go there and relax." He even received a warning for allegedly baiting deer, which he denies.

Dale Liles, who hunts on his 86-acre property in Muscle Shoals with his family, has also had run-ins. He says game wardens have parked on his land and sped away when he tried to approach them. He's since put up "no trespassing" signs and installed a camera.

A Conservationist's Concerns

Liles emphasizes his commitment to wildlife conservation. "I’m all about preserving our wildlife and great outdoors," he says. "But game wardens still have to respect people’s rights." He also raises safety concerns about wardens not wearing orange while on private land during hunting season.