If police have probable cause to believe a vehicle contains evidence of a crime, what can they search?

When police have probable cause to believe that a vehicle contains evidence of a crime, the scope of the search extends beyond just the driver's area or any other specific sections of the vehicle. The law allows for a thorough search of the entire vehicle and any containers located within it. This is based on the concept that vehicles are mobile and evidence could be lost or destroyed if law enforcement has to obtain a warrant before conducting a search.

The rationale behind allowing the search of the entire vehicle and its contents is rooted in the fact that containers within the vehicle could contain contraband or evidence related to the crime. This authority applies not only to the areas where passengers or the driver might have immediate access, which typically includes the glove compartment, center console, or any bags or backpacks within reach, but also to the trunk and other storage compartments as long as the officers have established probable cause that evidence is present.

This understanding adheres to the rulings established in cases such as California v. Carney and U.S. v. Ross, which affirm that the entire vehicle can be searched when there is probable cause for the presence of evidence related to criminal activity. Thus, the correct answer encompasses the full extent of what officers are permitted to search under these circumstances, making it clear