What is probable cause to search a car?
Probable cause is a term used when there is evidence to reasonably suspect or assume a crime has been committed or will be committed. When searching a car, probable cause is the justification police use to search the vehicle.OriginsProbable cause is a term from the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The Fourth Amendment ensures people are secure against unreasonable searches from the police.Plain SightIn a car, police are allowed to look at anything in plain sight without having probable cause. Evidence viewed and obtained from the front seat of a car is not considered a search.WarrantsProviding there is probable cause, warrants are not required to search a car.TrunkProbable cause rules also apply to the trunk of a car or back of an enclosed truck. If the police have a reason to suspect wrongdoing has been done or will be done, they can look in the trunk.TipsTips from others can be considered probable cause if what the tipster suggested would be found was found.
