What Should I Tell The Police if They Want To Search Your Home or Vehicle?

Many of the people that come into my office have obviously already been charged. And when asking them about their case, generally it's something where the police have searched their vehicle or have searched their home. And my next question to them is, "Well, did they have a warrant to do that, or did you give them permission?" Inevitably, I hear from most of the people that come in my office that they gave consent to search, whether it be their car or their house or any other thing that it could have been to search. And unfortunately, at that point, it is too late. When a police officer asks to search your car or to search your house, the short answer to them should be no.

It's their requirement that they have probable cause in order to search whatever it is that they want to search. And if it is your vehicle, then they have every right to go and get a warrant, and it is your right to have them go and get that warrant. And that is something that you ought to exercise if you are stopped by the police or they request a consent to search.