Cars and Containers

Question 1

May police do a warrantless search a short while later at the police station after stopping a car?
Chambers v. Maroney (1970)

Answer 1

If police could’ve done a search without a warrant at the time of the stop, they can also do a warrantless search a short while later at the police station.

Question 2

Carroll v. United States (1925)

Answer 2

Cars and other conveyances may be searched without a warrant provided there’s probable cause to believe that the officers are entitled to seize.

Question 3

California v. Carney (1985)

Answer 3

a vehicle that can be readily moved and that has a reduced expectation of privacy due to its use as a licensed motor vehicle may be searched without a warrant provided probable cause exists.

Question 4

Can police do a warrantless search of a vehicle parked on a driveway?
Collins v. Virginia (2018)

Answer 4

A warrantless search of a vehicle in a driveway falls outside the scope of the automobile exception because the vehicle is on curtilage.

Question 5

What’s the expectation of privacy for vehicles?
Cardwell v. Lewis (1971)

Answer 5

Vehicles have a lesser expectation of privacy because their function is transportation and seldom serves as one’s residence or as the repository of personal effects

Question 6

South Dakota v. Opperman (1976)

Answer 6

Probable cause and warrant requirements don’t apply to inventory seraches so long as police follow standard procedures

Question 7

Can police open a locked suitcase found in a vehicle?
Florida v. Wells (1990)

Answer 7

police aren’t permitted to open a locked suitcase discovered during an inventory search

Question 8

Does the automobile privacy aspects apply to luggage?
U.S. v. Chadwick (1977)

Answer 8

No, automobile privacy aspects don’t apply to luggage, as it is intended to be a repository of personal effects.

Question 9

U.S. v. Ross (1982)

Answer 9

When police have probable cause to search a car without a warrant, they may also search any container found during the search that’s large enough to contain the evidence they’re looking for

Question 10

Is a warrant required to search a container in a vehicle?
California v. Acevado (1991)

Answer 10

Warrants are never needed for containers found in vehicles; only probable cause is needed for the search