Wednesday, April 22, 2015

When can Police search your vehicle??

   The Sierra Sentinel has had a few requests to research the problems that can be associated with authorities searching a vehicle you are driving or riding in.

   The Calaveras Sheriff's Office (Kuntz) nor the District Attorney's Office (Yook) did not reply, and we can only assume there are reasons why.

    However, Angels Camp Police Chief Fordahl, who is always helpful, was very cooperative.

  While the Angels Police have had many verbal complaints about searches that some believe should not have taken place, Chief Todd Fordahl has told us that he has not received any formal written complaints about searches in the past year.

   He told us that there are many reasons that a vehicle may be legally searched, and we will list some of them here:

    With consent of the driver
    An inventory search prior to towing the vehicle
    If an illegal item is within plain view
    If any of the occupants is currently on parole or probation
    If the driver is unable to provide proof of the identification or ownership of the vehicle
    If alert to the presence of odor associated with illegal drugs, by a certified and trained narcotics/explosives police service dog.

   There are other situations For more information you can go online under vehicle searches in California. We want to thank Chief Fordahl for his assistance and time.

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