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Supreme Court Limits When Police Officers Can Search A Suspect's Car Without A Warrant

By Altman & Altman

The Supreme Court has issued a ruling that places limits on when police officers can search a suspect's motor vehicle right after making an arrest if they don't have a warrant. With their 5-4 decision, the justices determined that police must have a warrant to search the auto if the person is locked up in the cruiser and is not a threat to the officers. Warrantless searches, however, can still take place if the passenger compartment of the car was within reach of the suspect or there is reason to believe that there is evidence in the car pertaining to the crime that resulted in the arrest. The decision supports an Arizona high court's ruling in favor of a man whose car was searched while he was handcuffed and seated in the back of a police car...continue to full post

Full post as published by Boston Criminal lawyer Blog on April 22, 2009 (boomark / email).