automobile exception
Defined in 1 dictionary — Case Law
Definitions from Case Law
From 399 U.S. 42 - Chambers v. Maroney · 1970Most cited · 9,073 citing opinions
Carroll, supra, holds a search warrant unnecessary where there is probable cause to search an automobile stopped on the highway; the car is movable, the occupants are alerted, and the car's contents may never be found again if a warrant must be obtained. Hence an immediate search is constitutionally permissible.