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Can Your Car Be Searched Without a Warrant?

On Behalf of | Mar 18, 2022 | Blog, Personal Injury |

This question might be of interest to people from all walks of life. In my experience as an attorney, I have noticed that college students are particularly interested in the answer to if an officer can search your car without a warrant. Here in the Hudson Valley, we have many great colleges and universities, including Marist, Vassar, The Culinary Institute of America, Dutchess Community College and Bard College. As such, just as college students tend to do, weekends are reserved for having a good time. Let’s try to avoid a weekend mistake from ruining a person’s future.

Below is a short list of some of the more common reasons a police officer can search your vehicle:

  • You consent to the officer searching your vehicle
  • A limited search might be justified for “officer safety”
    If the officer has probable cause that a crime was committed, the officer may search your vehicle for evidence.
  • An impounded vehicle is likely to be searched in what is called “an inventory search”

If an officer pulls you over for a vehicle and traffic law infraction, he does not automatically have the right to search your vehicle. If you do not give consent to the search of your vehicle and the officer does not have probable cause to search your vehicle, that officer has no right to enter or search your vehicle.

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Regardless of the facts and circumstances of why you were arrested or what you charged with; at my firm I take it very personal in ensuring that your rights are protected. If charged with a crime, my job is to get you the best possible result.