when can a police officer search the trunk of a car?

Answer 1

with your consent, with a warrant, with probable cause and no warrant, incident to arrest under certain circumstances, and as part of an inventory search

Answer 2

This depends on the state where you live. Some are more restrictive than others. In general these are the most often used....
... with your consent
.... if the vehicle is deemed abandoned (This can even mean that you ran away from it when stopped for traffic.)
... with PROBABLE CAUSE. ( If an officer can prove to a court that there was reason to believe that there was something there that could be destroyed if he allowed it to be moved, i.e.... blood or some other recognizable substance coming from the trunk)
.... if the officer observed a criminal act and watched as tools or evidence of that crime were placed inside the trunk.
..... or, with a warrant.

again this will depend on the jurisdiction. contact the local prosecutors office for you specific restrictions

Answer 3

When the police officer has probable cause, a warrant, or permission from the driver/occupant. After a lawful arrest, an officer can only search what was within arms reach of the person being arrested, unless they want to inventory every item in the vehicle before towing in which case they have access to all compartments of the vehicle.

Answer 4

In the state if Illinois, an officer my search your vehicle including all closed containers inside the vehicle. The officer my not search your trunk unless you give cosent or there is a search incident to arrest. The officer can also get a warrent, or gather enough probable cause that would allow him/her to open the trunk.

Answer 5

When given permission by the owner/operator.
When there is probable cause.
When there is intent to arrest.
When there is a safety issue for the officer.
And a little known fact. They can do a (inventory) of the vehicle when it is being towed. Which is where they search the vehicle and write down all the items with in.
So pretty much any time, cause it’s a area that you can make the situation fit the need..

Answer 6

They will ask you after talking to you for a couple minutes. Police officers are trained to pick up on cues such as nervousness.
-Police officers must exercise probable cause correctly because if a jury decides that probable cause wasn't used correctly then all evidence gathered can't be used in a court of law.
-Most times, police officers have probable cause based on time of day, location you were pulled over in among other factors.

Answer 7

Probable cause. And that is not just cause you said no when they asked. If there is no smell or item implicating wrong doing then they have no right. If you do smell like you have been doing bong hits all day then ya. But put up a fight, if they do it without good reason it will get thrown out in court even if they found the pope dead in your trunk.

Answer 8

He can ask you anytime, you can say no.

He can have a warrant

in some states if he drug or search dog suspects, that is enough cause to allow him to search.

If there is a human arm hanging out or blood dripping from trunk

if there is a very strong odor of drugs

Answer 9

Probable cause, a search warrant or if they ask and you consent to the search

Answer 10

Did you give them consent to search? If you did they can search anything they want to even your engine if they want to. Never agree to a consent to search unless you are in posession of cocaine,heroin,methamphatamine,marijuana. Otherwise they should have no reason to search even if they bring a k-9