Can the emergency room call the police if the nurse finds drugs on your person?
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Can the emergency room call the police if the nurse finds drugs on your person?
My husband was rushed to the hospital unconscious and had to be intubated. He was in severe DKA. The nurse had to take his clothes off. When she searched them she found drugs and called the police? My husband has since been charged for drug possession. Is it legal that the ER called police. Did it violate HIPPA laws?
Asked on October 23, 2019 under Criminal Law, Texas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
No laws prevent medical professionals from reporting ongoing or current criminal acts, such as possession of illegal drugs. The law does not discourage people from reporting criminal acts occuring in front of them (e.g. even your priest or lawyer could report drugs you bring with you to the confessional booth or the attorney's office). So this is legal.
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