Teachers *  About LFK * LFK en Espanol * Search LFK:   
Arizona
LFK Home Speak Up! Stories Toons Laws Justice for All Law Docs Change It! Games Links
Search Questions
 Speak Up! Topics
  Arrested (61)
  Banking (5)
  Bullying (6)
  Contracts (5)
  Credit (4)
  Curfew (44)
  Drinking (25)
  Driving (187)
  Emancipation (67)
  Family (219)
  Guns and Weapons (23)
  Housing (17)
  Illegal Substances (91)
  Jury Duty (15)
  Marriage (16)
  New Laws (15)
  Other (378)
  School (118)
  Sexual Assault and Misconduct (31)
  Trouble (34)
  Vandalism and Property Damage (8)
  Violence (87)
  Voting (6)
  When You Turn 18 (107)
  Work and Employment (24)

Latest Questions
  • Is it illegal to download foreign items that is not licensed in United States?

  • I have a questions for you. Since i'm emancipated do I still have to have my parent sign for me to get a tatoo in arizona. And if not would i have to bring the emancipation papers with me to get a tatoo.thanx for answering all my questions.

  • how many people can i have in my car,and what is the curfew in goodyear,az

  • what is the cerfew for pinetop-lakeside, az?

  • Can I get emancipated if I'm only 15, if I'm pregnant, and still going to school? And can I live with my boyfriend which he has a job and will prvied everything needed for me and my baby.

  • Search Dictionary

    Tell a friend about this page!
    Type a friend’s email address into the box below, then hit ‘send.

    Speak Up! - View Question #18


    printer friendly version

    Question: What if you are driving a car and a police officer pulls you over. He thinks that you have been smoking marijuana and requests to search my car. Does he have the right? Can I refuse him from searching my car? How far can a Police Officer use "probable cause" as an excuse to search/test/arrest me?

    Answer: Yes, he or she can search your car. As a general rule, the police have quite expansive rights to search cars. In addition, if the officer 'thinks' you have been using drugs or alcohol, he or she will most likely have probable cause to search your car.

    Probable cause exists when an officer, drawing on his or her experience as a police officer, believes that a search will find evidence of a crime. In this case, if the officer "thinks" you've been using drugs or alcohol, they have probable cause to believe that they will either find drugs or alcohol in the car or on your person.

    If you refuse to allow the officer to search your car, he or she would most likely get a search warrant from a court and search it anyway.


    Comments
    16 thru 20 of 23 comments     1   2   3  [ 4 ]  5    
    On 03/09/03
    Nick from CA said:
    Before acquiescing with Fred from AZ, please read this webpage in its entirety. You infact DO have a right to resist, under certain (and most) circumstances. Once again, please refer to this site. http://www.flexyourrights.org/index.html
    On 02/01/03
    karl from IL said:
    A police officer has to have reasonable suspicion based on articulable facts that a crime did, is, or will be occuring. An officer does not have the right to search without your permission. You can say no. They can only hold you for a reasonable amount of time to obtain a warrant, which usually takes a minimum of 2 hours. Remember, when an officer has your license in hand you are legally under arrest. Read your 4th amendement rights.
    On 06/25/02
    Nick from AZ said:
    http://www.flexyourrights.org/index.html
    On 05/28/02
    Mike from AZ said:
    If the officer is asking to search you car, always say no. If he is asking, there is a good chance he does NOT have probable cause. You have nothing to lose by affirming your rights under the constitution. And what was that about a warrant from a judge ? I don't think so. They cannot detain you indefinitely, while trying to get a warrant. Against the law. What they could do though, is call in for a K-9 unit to sniff your car. If the dog smells weed, that is grounds to search. Check out the ACLU website. You need to know your rights when dealing with law enforcement. You will never have anythin
    On 12/31/01
    Fred from AZ said:
    No, you're not allowed to "deny" them. That'd be pretty stupid if I could have a load of drugs in the trunk and simply deny an officer the right to search. They do what they want and if you don't like it, file a complaint.
    16 thru 20 of 23 comments     1   2   3  [ 4 ]  5    



    Read more about the law and Driving
    Related Stories
    Related Laws
    LFK Home   |   Speak Up!   |   Stories   |   Toons   |   Laws   |   Justice for All   |   Law Docs   |   Change It!   |   Games   |   Links
    Disclaimer: The information contained in this site is made available as a public service to the general public and is not intended to serve as legal advice. You should consult a trained legal professional for questions you may have about the laws affecting juveniles or any legal interpretations.

    Send Feedback regarding website content or to report bugs.
    Copyright © 1998 - 2024. Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education, All rights reserved

    Privacy Policy  |  Terms of use  |  Disclaimer  |  Contact Us