Court Limits Warrantless Vehicle Searches
AP via The Wall Street Journal - "The Supreme Court ruled that police need a warrant to search the vehicle of someone they have arrested if the person is locked up in a patrol cruiser and poses no safety threat to officers." Police have become accustomed to routine vehicle searches when arresting the driver. Now they have to have a reasonable suspicion that the driver could reach a weapon or destroy evidence unless they do the search.
Bottom line for me, if you've got something to hide, or just don't want your car ripped apart, and aren't prepared to defend your property with violence, get out of the car and lock it. This ruling, ARIZONA v. GANT, then protects your car from search unless the police first get a warrant.
A PDF of the ruling is here.
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