did you NO

[AreletiaG]

 THE POLICE have to have a search warrant warrant to search your car.

[IrisShadi]

Yes they do and the bad part is, is that even if you do not want them to, they will use probable cause to enter your vehicle anyways. It's an unfair situation at times but I have heard some people get results out of complaints to the superiors when making complaints on an individual cop.

[darkxtsuna]

I never knew of this O_O the hell that's a bummer.

[ljrjess69]

yep i knew that   

[mill8277]

And if they refuse to listen to you get on your phone and simply say I'm calling my lawyer...ask for names and badge numbers....

[inertia4]

That is correct, they do.

[Screwedupclick4life337]

Yup I knew it

[handllucas]

I always thought that if they have probable cause they could just go ahead and do it. I am definitely going to look into this.

[ladavia89]

I did know that but I also wouldn't have anything in my car that I wouldn't want the police to find

[loulizlee]

Did you know the question should be Did you KNOW?

[crazyzoo]

And if they refuse to listen to you get on your phone and simply say I'm calling my lawyer...ask for names and badge numbers....

do just that do not let them bully

[AdamH1978]

I was pulled for a tail light being out on my car many years ago and had a revealing occurrence take place.  The officer took one look at my friend who had dreads(rasta-esque) and stated that he smelled pot in the car.  He did ask to search the car, but since neither I nor my friend smoke pot we consented to the drooling officer.  His stereotyping failed him and after a thorough search with the aid of an additional officer whom he called proved fruitless I was allowed to leave with no ticket.  I could have refused and knew it, but it was worth seeing the disappointment on the cop's face when he came up empty handed.

[sigmapi1501]

No, they don't. The could choose to arrest you, impound the car, then search it.  Also, during every stop they can search the passenger compartment for weapons for their own safety.

[syorker82]

yeah I knew they have to have a warrant but now a days nothing is too much done by the book

[CharmedPhoenix]

I always thought that if they have probable cause they could just go ahead and do it. I am definitely going to look into this.

Yes, they need a search warrant unless they have probable cause.  If they are determined to look they will find probable cause, like the story in another post about the broken tail light.  Probable cause is not so easy to define.