NCJ Number
133189
Journal
Crime to Court Dated: (October 1991) Pages: complete issue
Date Published
1991
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This publication presents the facts, U.S. Supreme Court decisions, summaries of related incidents, and implications for police procedures relating to the warrantless search of closed containers found in automobiles.
Abstract
The Court decided California v. Acevedo in 1991, establishing a new rule that police may make a warrantless search of a container found in an automobile even though they have probable cause only that the container contains contraband. Related cases have involved searches of vehicles incident to an arrest, the warrantless search of an impounded vehicle at a police garage, and a search of a vehicle when the entire vehicle is suspect. Discussion regarding police and emergency medical personnel's procedures to protect evidence at the crime scene. Photographs and review questions and answers