If you are ever pulled over by law enforcement, and they ask to search your car, you might need clarification on your legal rights in such a situation. Among the numerous rights afforded to you by the U.S. Constitution, one is the ability to be safeguarded from unreasonable searches and seizures.
If you have questions about what to do if cops want to search your car, our team at Rossen Law Firm can help better understand your legal rights. An attorney can also help you take vital steps to safeguard your rights if you are being accused of a crime or have been charged.
Understanding Your Legal Rights When Cops Want to Search Your Car
If a cop wants to search your car, you should know you have the legal authority to refuse their request. Just because a police officer asks to search your car does not mean you have to offer them your consent. You are often acting within your rights if you politely refuse that request.
However, there are particular instances in which it is lawful for cops to search your car. For example, if the police officer has a warrant, it would be considered lawful for them to search your vehicle. Likewise, if the police officer acts based on probable cause, such as in a situation where they see items of an illegal nature inside the vehicle, any search conducted subsequently may be seen to have occurred on a legal basis.
If a cop asks to search your car and you consent to the search, any subsequent vehicle search and seizure of items contained therein may also be considered lawful. As such, if law enforcement pulls you over and they do not have a warrant or probable cause to search your vehicle, you do not have to say yes if they ask to search.
The law does not require you to consent to a vehicle search without a warrant or probable cause. You are not obliged to respond to inquiries from law enforcement.
Obtaining Legal Representation After Your Car Is Searched
Sometimes, a vehicle search will go nowhere, and no further action will be taken by law enforcement. In other cases, after cops search a vehicle, they may use evidence collected to file formal criminal charges. If you are facing a situation where you are being accused of a crime or have had charges filed against you after a vehicle search, obtaining legal representation is crucial.
If the law enforcement officer proceeded with the search despite your lack of consent, any evidence they procured could be considered illegally obtained, and an attorney can fight to get that evidence thrown out in court. Even if it turns out that the police officer conducted a lawful vehicle search, there may be a wide variety of avenues of defense to explore.
An attorney can get to work on your case from day one, even during the investigation period before formal charges are filed. You will need a lawyer with established relationships with the state attorney’s office and extensive knowledge and experience in defending a wide range of alleged criminal offenses. An expert attorney can pursue all options to get your charge reduced or even dropped while tirelessly pursuing an optimal result for your case.
Get Help from Our Award-Winning Defense Team
When it comes to knowing what to do if cops want to search your car, it is crucial to understand that you are entitled to protect yourself from unlawful searches. Remember, if cops want to search your vehicle, say no.
If you are experiencing a situation where your car was recently searched by law enforcement and now you are facing potential criminal charges, you must speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Contact one of our experienced criminal defense lawyers today to get started.