Should police officers be allowed to conduct vehicle searches during a traffic stop?

Answer 1

Police can do almost what ever they want. Very few people have the means. legal resources time and energy to combat injustice. When the Colonies were subject to British rule political activist and any other person seen as a threat to British rule could easily be arrested for possession of a firearm or any anything deemed contraband . They could be tried for treason or at the least incarcerated. Firearms and other contraband could easily be placed in the possession of anyone deemed an adversary to the Crown. Probable cause did not exist. Without it today we are just accelerating the time when corrupt authorities will institute a totalitarianism where justice has know recourse. To many Citizens and law enforcement of the US have know understanding of the origin and the value of our constitutional rights.

Answer 2

Unless they have a good reason to, have a warrant, or have been chasing a suspected criminal, they aren't allowed to by law.

Added: The above answer requires amplification: If an officer conducts a stop for a traffic violation and then, during the course of conducting the stop, develops probable cause that unlawful activity is taking place in the vehicle (e.g.: the distinctive smell of marijuana smoke), or that contraband is present in the vehicle (e.g.: visible syringes, foil packets, pill bottles, visible firearm, etc) he can then conduct a PC search.

Answer 3

For their safety, and without a warrant, they may search the immediate area of the driver, or any passengers for weapons.

ALSO: PROVIDING that REASONABLE SUSPICION exists that an offense or criminal act is, or has, taken place, they may expand their search (e.g.: smelling the distinctive odor of marijuana when the they approach the vehicle - seeing narcotics paraphernalia in plain view as they look into the vehicle - etc).

ALSO: A "hit" by a canine trained in narcotics detection has been ruled by the courts to be "probable cause" that narcotics are present, giving the officer(s) the lawful basis on which to conduct a complete search of the vehicle for the contraband.

Other than these instances, if an officer 'suspects' that the vehicle 'needs' to be searched for any reason, they must apply for a warrant to do so.

Answer 4

Yes they have full authority to do so.