Can police search a vehicle without a warrant?

Law enforcement officers can conduct a search of a vehicle without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe that the vehicle contains evidence of a crime. This principle is rooted in the understanding that vehicles are mobile and can quickly leave the jurisdiction, making it impractical to obtain a warrant in many situations.

Probable cause arises when an officer has reasonable grounds based on their observations, experiences, or evidence that a crime may be occurring or has occurred, and that the vehicle in question is likely to contain relevant evidence. This allows officers to act swiftly to preserve evidence that might otherwise be lost.

In contrast, the other choices presented do not hold true for the legal standards governing vehicle searches. While it's true that a warrant is typically required for searches to ensure Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, the unique nature of vehicles—combined with probable cause—provides an established exception to this rule.