Police officers typically need
a warrant before they are legally allowed to search you or your property.
This limitation helps protect people from factors such as discrimination. Of
course, there are always exceptions to every rule.
Although warrants are necessary to conduct searches, there are times
when an officer is allowed to do so without a warrant. In most cases, it is
because the officer has reason to suspect a crime. These include:
Evidence in “Plain
Sight”
This means a police officer finds incriminating evidence without having
to deviate from standard protocol. For example, if an officer notices a bag of
marijuana in your front seat during a routine traffic stop, he or she has the
right to search your entire vehicle.
