What must the police have to search an automobile without a warrant?

To search an automobile without a warrant, the police must have probable cause to believe that the vehicle contains evidence of a crime or contraband. This standard is rooted in the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. The automobile exception to the warrant requirement acknowledges the inherent mobility of vehicles, which may allow for the destruction of evidence or the immediate removal of contraband if law enforcement is required to wait for a search warrant.

Probable cause can arise from various factors, such as the police officer's observations, prior knowledge of the vehicle or its occupants, or information received from reliable sources. This means that if an officer observes circumstances that lead them to reasonably believe that a vehicle contains illegal items, they can conduct a search without needing to obtain a warrant first.

While consent from the driver can also allow an officer to search a vehicle without a warrant, it is not a requirement for all warrantless searches. Thus, probable cause serves as a broader legal standard that enables police to act promptly in situations where waiting for a warrant may be impractical.