Can police officers search a car without a warrant?

by Nicolai Cocis on Jan. 21, 2013

Criminal Criminal  Felony Criminal  Misdemeanor 

Summary: search of car without a warrant

The Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees “[t]the right of the people to be secure in the persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.” The US Supreme Court has determined that police officers may conduct a search of a car without a warrant if there is probable cause to believe that the car contains evidence of a crime. The Court reasoned that cars can be easily moved about and individuals have minimal expectation to privacy with respect to their cars.

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