Montana Court Rips Cop for Invading Bathroom; Underage-Drinking Conviction Overturned

Beginning of article

Byline: Audrey Hudson, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Criminals hiding from the law once sought refuge in churches, but in Montana, bathrooms are now a private hide-out from the police.

The Montana Supreme Court ruled 6-1 on Tuesday that Dillon City Police Officer Don Guiberson had no business going into a residential bathroom without knocking or asking permission.

On Oct. 19, 2001, police were called to an apartment on a noise complaint and possible marijuana use when they found a party in progress.

Officers were allowed inside - though not by the tenant - and Officer Guiberson said he opened the bathroom door after hearing "pretty loud" vomiting and saw …