Can Police Search My Vehicle?

Criminal Defense Lawyer Ryan Pacyga discusses when police can and cannot search your vehicle, what some of the common challenges to vehicle searches are, and what types of things police need to get probable cause.

[RyanPacyga]

Gary, I'm sorry you feel that way. Criminal defense lawyers don't condone criminal behavior, but we advocate for fair application of the Bill of Rights.

[cohenfromdiscord]

Hey guys for anyone interested in this . The Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of the cops. I wanna say the case is North Carolina v. Helen but could be remembering the wrong case ... But long story short . A guy was pulled over for a broken tail light, his car was searched .... And they found drugs . PLOT TWIST: It actually turns out it's legal to drive with ONE working tail light in North Carolina (state) . Meaning the driver was not breaking the law. However, in this case the Court ruled ... Officers enforcing the law DO NOT need to know the law . Which is an insane ruling in my opinion

[mikeburns]

The simple answer is "only if they feel like it". A few weeks ago they stopped me in IL. They asked if they could search my car and I said no. They used the bogus doggy sniff test to say that the dog smelled drugs., and therefore they didn't need a warrant. Short story: A total of 3 DEA SUVs and 7 cops took my car apart over 40 minutes. Found nothing and let me go. Proves that the doggy sniff test can be used any time they feel like it.

[timothyeastridge]

It's part of being an American citizen. My presumption of innocence should outweigh suspicion. Glad to know that you are standing up for our rights. Police shouldn't be able to break the law #POLICESTATE

[ChristmasInjuryLawyers]

Great advice about one should never consent to a search. I think many people are under the misunderstanding that the police are there to help. The truth is that during any traffic stop, the police are looking for anything they can use against you.

[geoh]

"... they immediatly call the K9 unit, or threaten to do so. How do you beat that?"

A suggestion is to tell them to call the K9 and if charges result, request a jury trial and call the "canine officer" to testify about his or her "conclusions based what the "officer" smelled, etc., etc.

The judge won't allow that, so move for dismissal on grounds of inability to establish a trail of evidence leading from the initial police observations to the specific police charges... right to face accusers.

[davidstegman]

If don't let search your car they can't plant stuff in your car.

[Kyanzes]

Technically, you should also be able to revoke a consent to search, however awkward it may seem. That is, before anything is found.

[elevenhandicap]

Great job explaining what I am certain is much more complicated. U described it in a. Dry understandable language. Well done, good luck with your practice

[vanillamillz]

Here's the problem with all this. You have to pay a lawyer even if you're innocent.

[carlharris]

rules to follow never answer questions you have a right to silence use it. always film everything cameras do not lie. remember police are not your friends they are fishing for reasons to arrest you. even the supreme court advise never talk to cops.

[davidalen]

excellent. reasonable articulable suspicion that you have committed a crime. great information sir.

[alistairproductions]

They can always make up a story that gives them “reasonable suspicion” . They’re looking for someone who just did something and you’re a match in some way etc

[janX]

It would save alot of people's time of you made mention of what country these laws are for. Put it in the title or description.

[tankcommander]

You might want to define articulable reasonable suspicion. Using things like traffic violations is more in the lines of probable cause. An example of ARS would be somebody pulling up to a known drug house, entering and then leaving shortly after at 1 o'clock in the morning.

[Mincraft]

Don’t forget they pull you over if you have out of state plates, then lie about why they pulled you over. Happens to me every time I drive from tx to ga to visit my mom.

[PSKResearch]

Nervousness? Reality check: We've all seen bad or rough cops on the news, & they're more common than they should be. Innocent people have been falsely charged, beaten, or shot by police for decades. All of us normally will be very nervous when being pulled over by a cop or confronted with them. Even with a good cop, a $150 speeding ticket, usually will make your car insurance go up $150-$450 a year for the next 3 years. Throwing up to $1500 out the window because of a traffic stop will get anybody nervous.

Cops: "Why are you nervous?" Me: "2 big ugly guys, looking mean & angry with hands on their gun holsters are standing right outside my window." If I suddenly sneeze, they'll shoot me.

I don't care who you are, you will get nervous when confronted with men with guns. The uniform just means they can do whatever they want if they don't like you, & will probably get away with it unless you caught them on camera... which don't help if you're dead, or in a hospital, all beaten up.

[larryv]

My daughter and boyfriend got pulled over by a Georgia State Trooper and a Banks County Sheriff deputy for speeding. The deputy told her boyfriend, Kevin, that he looked nervous and asked him if he was nervous. Kevin said no. Deputy asked if he was carrying large amounts of cash, Kevin laughed and said "I wish". Then they asked to search the car. Both Kevin and my daughter just wanted to continue on their way and thought these cops would arrest them or hold them forever, so they said OK. One searched the car and the other asked my daughter, a recent college graduate enrolling in medical school, if she has an arrest record. Then "where are you both going." This went on for 30 minutes until the deputy realized they were just two young people simply going to the mountains for a hike. They let them go with a "verbal" warning for speeding. Verbal because they didn't want written evidence of the traffic stop. I called the trooper's office and was polite in asking why they did this, and the trooper got really pissed and almost yelling in the phone. I hung up before I said something that would get me in trouble. I was fuming for a week. This has given me a very negative view of the police, and I formerly supported our officers. Thanks for the video.

[Oregonluver]

What if the cop say they sell something, but there’s nothing and there lying? What can we do as of then

[richarda.valdes]

When a cop stops and says....we relieved a call( lie) then starts to question you for no real reason . Why can't the person just request a sworn statement from the officer of this fact. Knowing full well the officer is probably just making up a reason to stop you. Please answer