"jl" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Jun 19, 1:02 pm, "Maxwell" wrote:
It's a States Rights issue. Different States have different laws.

Forth ammendment of the US Constitution

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers,
and
effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be
violated,
and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath
or
affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and
the
persons or things to be seized.

I don't know about the Feds and their Patriot Act, but state and
municiple
authorities cannot search your vehicle without probably cause. Agreed,
probable cause can be a slippery slope, but they do not have the right to
search every vehicle at their own will.

That probably should be the law but it is not. Reasonable suspicion
is enough to justify a vehicle search. It is a standard lower than
probable cause, and it is approved by the Supreme Court of the United
States.

And see USA vs. Flores-Montano, which justifies suspicionless
vehicular searches under certain circumstances.


Got a link?