Hidden "Antman Mod" compartment in rear is illegal!

[DEKA3]

Just found out about this "the hard way":
114th Precinct Cops Honored, Hidden Auto Compartments Outlawed | New York State Senate

“Law enforcement nationwide, as well as in New York state, have witnessed a surge in the number of hidden compartments found in motor vehicles,” reads the bill. “[Hidden compartments] are utilized to evade detection by law enforcement officers investigating drug and gun trafficking among other crimes. Even more disturbing…secret compartments are sometimes ‘booby-trapped’ causing serious risk to law enforcement officers seeking to locate and access them.”

The legislation amends the penal code by adding two new sections, 270.25 and 270.26, defining the crimes of unlawfully installing or possessing a concealed vehicular compartment in the first and second degree.

“These hidden compartments are a real danger and must be outlawed,” Gianaris told the Gazette in April.

I didnt get a ticket or anything, but just good to know. On one hand I kind of agree, but on the other hand, its kind of excessive. Whats next? Drinking a 16oz soda is illegal? Oh wait, thats in court right now!
I doubt that any other city/state has such absurd laws as NYC.

 

[GrantK]

I don't think we have a law like that here in CO, thankfully. I want to rework the rear storage area, replacing the slide out tray and the rest of the 'floor' with multiple compartments having lift off lids. Some I don't want obvious since they will be where I put the stereo stuff (amps, EQ) and ham radio equipment (remote mounting).

Just curious, what makes a compartment 'hidden'? RVs and motor homes usually have 'hidden' storage under the beds that you have to move the mattress to get to. Would they be considered hidden since the access isn't in plain view. What about my plans to have compartments without obvious hinges, pull knobs?

Arggggggg. I really hate some laws

 

[DEKA3]

Just curious, what makes a compartment 'hidden'?

Based on what the cop said "A hidden compartment is something that was modified to hide items in, that wasnt initially intended for that purpose".

Now, he saw that I just had bungee's and stuff in mine and nothing illegal, so I was allowed to leave with a "you dont see trucks like yours, around here much". I looked at him, said "Thanks, I guess" and was on my way.

 

[RubiconSS]

As Americans we have a choice of "Representatives" that make more and more Laws that basically harrass Law abiding citizens and do NOTHING about criminal behavior AND Reps that believe in LESS intrusion.
4x4 owners should organize just like Gun Owners and Knife Owners.
Otherwise - We get what we allow.

 

[vicpick58]

I would not be surprised if California came out with a law like that too.
We already cannot carry a firearm in our vehicles (with out a CCW permit) unless it is separate from the ammunition (including the detachable mag) and locked in the trunk or in a locked case out of reach of the driver. We cannot even think about using a hand held cell phone when driving. And god forbid you get caught with out your seat belt on, even if you are just taking your jacket off while sitting at a stop light,

New York and California seem to have the least civil freedom of all the states.

I often joke to a friend of mine who smokes that soon the state will require a permit or license to purchase and use tobacco products. Just a joke, but I would not be too surprised if in the next ten years or so they do it.

 

[phillyd2]

So, its ONLY the compartment that's illegal not all the drugs, ammo and baby parts? Whew!

F'ing idiots!

 

[joneseyyy]

So, its ONLY the compartment that's illegal not all the drugs, ammo and baby parts? Whew!

F'ing idiots!

Just continue to keep those items in plain view and you should be golden!

 

[runnaz]

If its a hidden compartment, and you are NOT doing anything illegal, you have nothing to worry about, even if it is against the law. The only way they will find the hidden compartment is if you give them permission to search your vehicle. Tell them no, they'll never know it exists.

 

[4ShoreRunner]

Just the other day I was pulled over because I was driving with my tailgate up and had 2 fresh brews sitting in my "Antman cup holders"

Antman is making us all do illegal mods on our trucks!

We need to ban him again! We need justice!

 

[Antman]

Disclaimer:

Antman in no way endorses or supports any event that is illegal or plainly stupid that is in any way associated with his mod thread.

All copycat Antman mods are performed and used under the assumption that the end user assumes full responsibility for results that may be unsatisfactory or potentially harmful.

Antman hopes you have a nice day.

 

[GrantK]

Disclamer:

Antman in no way endorses or supports any event that is illegal or plainly stupid that is in any way associated with his mod thread.

All copycat Antman mods are performed and used under the assumption that the end user assumes full responsibility for results that may be unsatisfactory or potentially harmful.

Antman hopes you have a nice day.

NOT FAIR!!! This is America, we can't responsibility for our actions, we have a government induced bailout right to blame someone else for our own stupidity.

 

[westwind77]

Simple fix....if you have a compartment you made just get a label maker and type the word compartment and stick it. That way you can not be accused of hiding anything as it is clearly labeled what it is.

 

[RubiconSS]

I am only smart enough to vote my leaders into lifelong positions of entitlement so they can then tell me what to think, how to behave and what I can and can not do. They also will tell me how much of my money is acceptable to keep because the rest must be sent to them so they can decide how it will be distributed (after they keep an appropriate amount for their own use, of course) IF I do not send them the appropriate amount I will be villified and incarcerated as punishment for not being a "Good" and "Caring" person. How dare I not take care of the generations of less fortunate.
IF I were to get "Caught" with a HIDDEN compartment in my Personally owned Vehicle (POV) Well.... of course it was with the intent to break all kinds of laws probably hiding weapons and drugs and maybe even some of that money that is theirs and not mine to hide.
Shame on me.
Should I even be allowed to own and operate such a vehicle? What kind of gas mileage does it get and don't even speak of the cloroflourocarbons is there even a boot large enough to contain such a footprint!

Sound scarey? It should. It isn't far from the truth of how some think in "Our Country".

 

[DEKA3]

I would not be surprised if California does not come out with a law like that too.
We already cannot carry a firearm in our vehicles (with out a CCW permit) unless it is separate from the ammunition (including the detachable mag) and locked in the trunk or in a locked case out of reach of the driver. We cannot even think about using a hand held cell phone when driving. And god forbid you get caught with out your seat belt on, even if you are just taking your jacket off while sitting at a stop light,

New York and California seem to have the least civil freedom of all the states.

I often joke to a friend of mine who smokes that soon the state will require a permit or license to purchase and use tobacco products. Just a joke, but I would not be too surprised if in the next ten years or so they do it.

Bloomberg is trying to pass a law that will make smoking in your apartment illegal. Granted, nothing about private single residence. But this is NYC, 98% of dwellings fall into the "apartment" category.

 

[Rlin0997]

No silly laws here in AZ what is the mod?:shrug:

 

[DEKA3]

No silly laws here in AZ what is the mod?:shrug:

the mod is the rear wheel well tire mod, where we lifted with "brute force" the little trays that are ontop of the rear wheels in the cargo area.

 

[Qjake]

Out of curiosity, what prompted the officer to search your truck in the first place? Is it also a law in NYC that they can search a vehicle without probable cause?

 

[Eagle]

A pretty critical part of this story is omitted. The NY law is a specific intent crime, meaning merely having the compartment is not itself unlawful without the requisite intent.

The section defines "Concealed Vehicular Compartment" to be a hidden compartment intended or designed to be used to transport, conceal, hide, or prevent discovery by law enforcement officers of 1) property possessed in violation of law, 2) property used or intended for use in the commission of a crime, or 3) persons in violation of law.

So as long as your compartment is not actually used, intended to be used, or designed to be used for holding one of the three types of items, it is okay. However, the law does include a presumption that your compartment is unlawful if "there are factors from which such intent or design may reasonably be inferred ."


Bottom line: you may have to provide a few explanations, but so long as you're not carrying something in there that you shouldn't be carrying... you will likely be just fine.

 

[Eagle]

I would not be surprised if California does not come out with a law like that too.

so you would be surprised if they do? :biggrin2:


California already has one... but, like the NY law, it is focused more on the intent to hide a controlled substance in the compartment.

Health & Saf. Code 11366.8

 

[flying fuzz]

I was wondering this myself. To the OP, what did you do to give the LEO probable cause to light you up and therefore open your rear tailgate for search purposes? Also just curious, as we don't just pull people over and look for hidden compartments without PC. Not insisting you did something wrong

Out of curiosity, what prompted the officer to search your truck in the first place? Is it also a law in NYC that they can search a vehicle without probable cause?