The scope of a valid warrantless vehicle search is as great as a magistrate could authorize in a warrant if the police have justification to search.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The scope of a warrantless vehicle search by the police, when justified, can be as broad as what a magistrate could authorize in a warrant, based on the automobile exception to the Fourth Amendment, which allows searches of vehicles without a warrant if there is probable cause to believe the vehicle contains evidence of a crime.

The Scope of a Valid Warrantless Vehicle Search Is as Great