Can Police Search a Vehicle Without a Warrant?

Can Police Search a Vehicle Without a Warrant?

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Police can search a vehicle without a warrant in Arizona. Indeed, federal law permits warrantless vehicle searches by law enforcement throughout the nation. Per the Fourth Amendment, warrants issue only upon probable cause. However, the Amendment is silent on warrantless searches. Nevertheless, several United States Supreme Court decisions dictate law enforcement’s ability to search vehicles without warrants. These decisions allow warrantless searches due to a vehicle’s mobility coupled with a person’s ability to dispose of evidence quickly.

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