probable cause

[SLP_Firehawk]

if you got pulled over for speeding, when does the cop have the right to search the trunk or anything in the car that isn't visible.

aslo, what happens if you get caught driving without insurance?

[firecop]

Depends what state your in. In Connecticut I can search the inside of the vehicle if I have reasonable suspicion that you have a weapon or illegal substances in the car. Then if I do find anything illegal, the ENTIRE car is mine, trunk and any locked compartments including any bags, cases etc. in the vehicle.

No insurance in Connecticut is a court appearance required ticket.

[TC]

firecop, it's actually a standard set by the supreme court, so it's the same nationwide.

Really, it depends on the offense. If I stop you for speeding and I find probable cause that your inspection is expired, it doesn't give me the right to dig through your car.

However, if I smell weed when I walk up to your car, I have full reign over your entire car until I find the weed.

[KamaroZ'91]

If you get pulled over for speeding the only way the cop can search your car is if you give concent........

[firecop]

TC not in Connecticut, remember we are the "Constitution State". We were and still are in some ways held to a stricter standard for searches than what the rest of the nation is. Until recently we could not search locked containers that were inside the vehicle. We just had in-service on this, I don't have my notes handy but I could find them if you want.

[Wardo]

Firecop, at one time I probably held the state record for being stopped, mostly just to bust my balls, gotta love troup E. As happened more then a few times with CT state police, I was asked to submit to a search, no matter what was in the car, locked, hidden, in the trunk or whatever. If the officer asks what is inside my briefcase and I tell him but he wants to see it and I refuse to show him he now has probable cause and will detain me until he gets whatever clearance needed or a dog there to search the car. Whatever laws were passed were and are way to easy to get around, Esp. for the assholes at Troup E, I hope your not one of them.

[gray88_5.7]

it used to be called HDI or highway drug interdiction. if you stop someone for any violation you could ask for "consent" to search the vehicle. it seemed logical and worked pretty good for awhile. then some court decided that wasn't quite fair. now you need to show what "factors/information" made you feel it was necessary to ask to conduct a search. but like firecop says if anything is in "plain view" the entire car is mine but we usually impound the car and get a warrant just to be safe.

[firecop]

No prob. Wardo, I'm not from the Troop E area.

[Iceman]

Originally posted by TC
firecop, it's actually a standard set by the supreme court, so it's the same nationwide.

Really, it depends on the offense. If I stop you for speeding and I find probable cause that your inspection is expired, it doesn't give me the right to dig through your car.

However, if I smell weed when I walk up to your car, I have full reign over your entire car until I find the weed.

I've seen newer officers try to look through every car they stop, but thats' not the way to do it. Follow the law & some common sense.

Get an insurance ticket in Oklahoma, & although I don't believe its mandatory now, you will be suspended after a month or two, even if you live in anther state. If you drive up from Texas without insurance & get caught, then go back to Texas, the state computer will have it as suspended even though an Oklahoma license was never issued.
The exception to this when you are from out of state, is if your home state does not require the insurance (there are still a very few), then we would not ticket. Most of us have a list given out by the court clerk!