Could a cop search you if...

[slipknotpsycho]

actually, a cop can't search your car even if it smells like weed unless you give permission... i mean they can, but there's a lot of red tape they have to go through first.... depending on state they'd either have to call HQ to get permission or some other place and get a warrant too... they can't just stop you say it smells like weed and then say "out of the car i'm searching" you have to give consent first..

[SneakerPimp]

yeh see thats what I thought too, u have to give permission to search even if they smell CRACK! Otherwise they have some sort of redtape like he said to do it legally...

[Tmar.aLL.DaYmar]

Can a police officer search my car when I am stopped for speeding?
Generally, no. However, due to the mobility of cars, time does not permit a search warrant to be obtained. As a result, vigilant police are motivated to search suspicious automobiles. However, the police officer must have probable cause to believe that contraband is concealed somewhere.

In essence, merely being stopped for speeding should not allow the officer to search your car; however, if the officer saw you throw an empty beer can out the window, that may be sufficient probable cause to search your car. Or, if the officer smells marijuana as he approaches the car, he may have an articulable suspicion to search.

It is unreasonable to make a search of an automobile when the arrest is for a minor traffic violation (like speeding), as a subterfuge for a search for evidence of a serious crime. Yet, the many automobile exceptions are based on the lower expectation to the right of privacy in a car versus a home and the fact that cars are mobile and evidence can be more readily disposed.

[Tmar.aLL.DaYmar]

Q WHAT IF THE POLICE STOP ME AND WANT TO TAKE ME TO THE STATION FOR QUESTIONING? DO I HAVE TO GO WITH THEM?
A. No. If you aren't under arrest, you do not have to go to the police station. If police ask you to go with them voluntarily, you should refuse and state that you want to talk to a lawyer first. If you decide to go to the station voluntarily, you are free to leave when you want to unless the police tell you that you're under arrest.

Q. CAN A POLICE OFFICER SEARCH ME IF I'M NOT UNDER ARREST?
A. No, but if they have a reasonable suspicion to believe you could be carrying a weapon, they can pat down the outside of your clothing.

doesnt say anything about drugs.

[Fabolous]

Okay heres where you are all wrong LoL about how they can't search ect ect ect.....

police officers in fact can and will search your car if they suspect any drugs are in there (don't you ever watch COPS the TV show?)

Police officers infact can search you in a ramdomly order on the street (more then likely they well use the terrorist excuse, like they did on my friend sadly )

and there nothing that people can do now since there makin laws that are takin rights away from people left and right, my friend tryed fighting the pat down from the sreets in court. But lost since the officer was checking random people.

[Nullific]

You never really know what the law can do in America these days.
Apparently the president can spy on us.

[SneakerPimp]

that aint a free country if some cop can just approach you on the street and search you, thats like how it is in Russia or something....

[P.E.N.G.U.I.N.]

They can pat you down if they have probable cause to suspect that you are carrying a weapon, but you can't tell someone has drugs (except maybe a pipe) just by patting them down.

Probable cause: A reasonable suspicion that a crime is being committed, will take the place of a warrant in most, but not all cases, and probable cause only works with the crime the officer thought was being committed. He can't search your bedroom for drugs if he sees you possibly hitting a pipe through your kitchen window. He can get a warrant and come back, though.

[Crispyfried]

The most important thing to remember is don't run from a cop, that enables them to arrest you. Pay attention to what they say and be polite. And it seems that most marijuana-related arrests are made for posession, not selling and not growing. So don't have anything on you.

[GratefulDead4ever]

depending on the cop they may do different things