Q: If I'm pulled over for wreckless driving and I'm taken to jail may a officer search my vehicle?
A: Yes. Whether under the guise of for the officer's protection to check if there are any weapons in the vehicle or to conduct an inventory in the passenger compartment but not the trunck which would require a search warrant.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- California
- (714) 883-9822
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
Yes. First, when someone is stopped for a suspected crime, the officer can conduct what's known as a "search incident to arrest." This is allowed for safety reasons and is limited in it's scope. If the suspect is then arrested and the vehicle impounded, the police can conduct an inventory search of the vehicle to record all its contents.
- Law Office of Joseph Abrams, Anaheim, CA
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
