In U.S. v. Carroll, what must officers have to search a vehicle's trunk?

In U.S. v. Carroll, the principle established is that officers must have probable cause to search a vehicle's trunk. This case set a precedent in which the courts recognized that the inherent mobility of vehicles creates a unique situation regarding search and seizure. Unlike homes or other dwellings, vehicles can be quickly moved out of the jurisdiction, which makes obtaining a warrant impractical in many circumstances.

Probable cause is defined as having enough facts and evidence that a reasonable person would believe that a law has been violated or that evidence of a crime can be found in the vehicle. This standard requires more than a mere suspicion; officers must have a factual basis that supports their belief that contraband or evidence is present in the vehicle.

While officers can conduct searches under certain situations, such as consent or exigent circumstances, in the context of effectively applying the Carroll decision, the strong emphasis is on having probable cause specifically to search the trunk. A warrant is typically required for a search at home, but the exigencies surrounding vehicle searches create the necessity for the probable cause standard established in this case.