​Pennsylvania to allow police to search cars without a warrant

1

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled recently that police are allowed to search vehicles without a warrant. Meanwhile, the state General Assembly is advancing a bill to grant police authority to arrest those with “secret compartments” in their vehicles.

In a 4 to 2 decision weeks ago, the state Supreme Court decided that police could conduct searches of vehicles based solely on probable cause, or an officer’s reasonable belief that the vehicle contained illegal goods or evidence of a crime. The new standard puts the state in line with the federal law, which allows warrantless searches of vehicles.

​Pennsylvania to allow police to search cars without a warrant

Officers in the Keystone State were previously required to obtain a warrant prior to searching a vehicle unless the car’s owner gave consent for the search.

Writing for the majority in the ruling, Justice Seamus McCaffery said the probable-cause requirement for a search is “a strong and sufficient safeguard against illegal searches,” and will ensure that Pennsylvania officers adhere to a “uniform standard for a warrantless search of a motor vehicle, applicable in federal and state court, to avoid unnecessary confusion, conflict and inconsistency in this often-litigated area.”

Justice Debra McCloskey Todd, in a dissenting opinion, said the court was “eviscerating” longtime privacy protections by embracing the “diluted federal automobile exemption.”

The majority decision “heedlessly contravenes over 225 years of unyielding protection against unreasonable search and seizure which our people have enjoyed as their birthright,” Justice Todd added.

Civil liberties groups agreed. Dropping the demand for a search warrant is a major boost to police authority, said Reggie Shuford, executive director of the Pennsylvania ACLU.

“I think getting a warrant is significant because it is one more deterrent against bad police behavior,” Shuford told the PA Independent. “There was really no reason for the court to overturn the law. We have a long history of strong protections for individual rights in Pennsylvania.”

AFP Photo / Getty Images / Kevork DjansezianAFP Photo / Getty Images / Kevork Djansezian

While some US states have constitutional language demanding a search warrant before officers investigate a vehicle, Pennsylvania’s constitution does not. McCaffery said this has caused confusion and contradictory rulings from various state courts that have ruled on the issue.

“To provide greater uniformity in the assessment of individual cases and more consistency with regard to the admissibility of the fruits of vehicular searches based on probable cause, a more easily applied rule — such as that of the federal automobile exception — is called for,” he wrote in his opinion.

The state General Assembly is also poised to hand more authority to state law enforcement.

The PA Independent pointed out that the same day the state Supreme Court ruled in favor of warrantless car searches, the state’s House Judiciary Committee advanced legislation that would make it a crime for a vehicle to have “secret compartments.” The law would make such compartments a first-degree misdemeanor – and the vehicle would be seized by police – even if the compartment was empty.

Law enforcement would have to prove a compartment exists with the intent for criminal use before a vehicle could be seized. A “secret compartment” conviction could yield five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The bill’s sponsor, State Rep. Kate Harper, said law enforcement asked her to introduce the bill, the PA Independent reported, to crack down on smuggling between New York and Florida. The route is a major path for moving illicit goods like guns and drugs, and even human beings could be stashed in the compartments, Harper said.

“The objective is to get those cars and trucks off the road, so if you’re using the same truck to drive back and forth between Florida and New York and we catch you doing it, then we can it off the road,” Harper said, adding that the bill is intended to target criminals.

The bill has not seen action in the General Assembly since late April, but should it become law, Pennsylvania would join a small number of states that have made the secret compartments illegal.

Source

Add To The Conversation Using Facebook Comments

One Response

  1. DDearborn says:

    Hmmm

    You see I learn something new everyday. Apparently unbeknown to me (and everyone else who can read) the fourth amendment has an
    exemption in it for automobiles among other things.

    This is the reason authors like this one never, ever include the entire Amendment that the government is violating in the article. Because even a 10 year old realizes that the government is violating the Bill of Rights.

    4th amendment in its entirety (hint: THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST HAVE A VALID WARRANT TO SEARCH) That is why the founding fathers included the phase “shall not be violated” so that corrupt crooked politician and Judges can’t crap all over our rights.

    4th amendment:
    “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

Leave a Reply

© 2014 Pakalert Press. All rights reserved.
https://ilmukomunikasi.uad.ac.id/
https://dtp.bengkuluprov.go.id/
https://prime.edu.pk/blogs/
https://upardigital.uparsistem.edu.co/
https://hotelarjuna.com/
https://dpk.banggaikep.go.id/
https://janestrinket.co.id/
https://serioustech.co.uk/
https://bestwesterndrycleaners.co.uk/
https://dev.iphi.or.id/
https://skynetsolutions.co.in/
https://sanbuka.co.id/
https://shop2.sanbuka.co.id/
https://dyon.sanbuka.co.id/
https://shop.sanbuka.co.id/
https://tangerangmotor.co.id/
https://bangsatangiisuk.co.id/
https://bidkoin.id/
https://binausaha.my.id/
https://iphijateng.or.id/
https://iteso.co.id/
https://rblogistics.co.id/
https://zteindonesia.co.id/
https://processthink.co.uk/
https://lynxlolerservices.co.uk/
https://g4x.co.uk/
https://emleather.co.za/
https://smkn2jiwan.sch.id/
https://theparivartan.co.in/
https://demo.apel.co.id/
https://www.smkn1sgs.sch.id/
https://menstruationstassen-test.com/
https://www.neubau-immobilie-leipzig.de/
https://www.thefarmwifelife.com/
https://anhduongcompany.vn/
https://ttg.com.ar/
https://yanagz.com/
https://sportmatchcoaching.com/
https://flughafen-taxi-muenchen.com/
https://mts-mqtebuireng.sch.id/
https://indialawtimes.com/
http://dominicandreamgirl.com/
https://www.32sing.com/
https://espanahijos.com/
http://psiquiatraenprovidencia.cl/
http://2z25.com/
http://agapelux.com/
http://kmh-tea.com/
http://metabolitea.com/
http://itn-info.com/
https://www.cacciamotorworx.com/
https://dupsrl.shop/
https://quickbooktravles.com/
https://uvasi.ru/
https://discimus.com.br/
https://baizelshoecare.co.za/
https://amaronilogistics.eu/
https://gameofprint.de/
https://centrogaiaom.com/
https://www.vignet.net/
https://veganscure.com/
https://geze.com.ua/
https://maxtorcpro.com/
https://sajiddesigns.com/
https://grandkozmetik.mk/
https://javachatpodcast.com/
https://kelashartanah.my/
https://oncallorganicfood.com/
https://topproductsbasket.net/
https://henyodigital.com/
https://www.penzonerealty.com/
https://www.snaptosign.com/
https://www.svelaluxury.it/
https://afrilandforexboard.com/
https://foodfusionhk.com/
https://shop.drdavidgilpin.com/
https://threeriversmedicalgroup.com/
https://zmart.hk/
https://metatoursae.com/
https://losafoods.com/
https://runoved.ru/
https://toffeehousesweets.com/
https://toshow.us/
https://www.toytrucks.com.ph/
https://virtusmurano.com/
https://latisanery.com/
https://changelifeorganization.org/
https://chiapow.com/
https://bestcardiologistnashik.in/
https://jeansjourney.us/
https://inhawellness.com/
https://inland.website/
https://painfulparenting.com/
https://pakalertpress.com/
https://s3webservices.tech/
https://b4uage.com/
https://babycar.in/
https://luxuriousrentz.com/
https://agelessbeautylaserskinspa.com/
https://theonenews.in/
https://pickandgofurniture.com/
https://gadgeto.gr/
https://equalitynetworkllc.com/
https://tonyslavin.com/
https://myidlyrics.com/
https://downloadbusinesscourse.com/
https://aahanagroups.com/
http://runwithyourheart.site/
https://clocksportsnews.com/
https://bajahighland.com/
https://terraagrofertil.com.br/
https://gailelaine.com/
https://joyasvalldor.com/
https://juliansrecipes.com/
https://haamburg.com/
https://www.laidegoldskinclinic.com/
https://venec.mk/
https://fuelpumpexpress.com/
https://humanitarianstudies.ch/
https://panmarketllc.com/
https://topfroosh.com/
https://russellandcosolicitors.co.uk/
https://rocherocean.fr/
https://proconsultant.tech/
https://travel.savings.org/
https://evergreenpharmaceuticals.co.uk/
https://techfat.com/
https://goodfix.ir/
http://mycrimea.online/
https://cprnabzino.com/
https://espotting.com/
https://mold.maqopt.com.br/
https://puppiesanimals.com/
https://essentialblackmedia.com/
https://allindiastrengthwars.in/
https://saudepreciosa.com/
https://edeyselldigitals.com/
https://saltandpepperideas.com/
https://currentnewstv.in/
https://apologetics.ro/
https://flockgear.life/
https://hiremedubai.com/
https://afelleclothing.com/
https://famousstoreis.com/
https://dolmie.com/
https://topnotchdealz.net/
https://cryptoswaptrade.com/
https://theusaage.com/
https://dogbecat.com/
demo slot
SENGTOTO
SENGTOTO
LOGIN EVOSTOSO
DAFTAR EVOSTOTO
jebol togel
mikatoto
Slot Gacor
mikatoto
PREDIKSI TOTO MACAU
Bet168
obat penggugur kandungan
obat aborsi
cytotec
https://slot-thailand.unfangin.ac.id/
https://lisinoprila.net/
sarangslot
sarangslot
https://lib.radenintan.ac.id/js/-/gacorx/
dewalive
https://datapusdataru.jatengprov.go.id/pilihpengadilan/star777/
https://datapusdataru.jatengprov.go.id/elementor/asiabet/
https://datapusdataru.jatengprov.go.id/elementor/dewa4d/
Slot Thailand
https://datapusdataru.jatengprov.go.id/elementor/infini88/
https://datapusdataru.jatengprov.go.id/elementor/hoki88/
https://datapusdataru.jatengprov.go.id/elementor/boss88/
https://lib.radenintan.ac.id/pilihkoleksi/dewahoki/
https://lib.radenintan.ac.id/pilihkoleksi/gacor4d/
https://lib.radenintan.ac.id/pilihkoleksi/dewa4d/
https://bahisseninuyelik.com/
akun pro malaysia
slot gacor 777
SINGASARITOTO
SINGASARITOTO
JUMBOTOTO
MAFIATOTO
KARTUTOTO
ASUSTOGEL
BAIM4D
Bimabet
hujantoto
bet168
TOP1TOTO
TOP1TOTO
TOP1TOTO
TOP1TOTO
TOP1TOTO
TOP1TOTO
TOP1TOTO
TOP1TOTO
OKBTOGEL
OKBTOGEL
OKBTOGEL
OKBTOGEL LOGIN
TOPJITU
KARTUTOTO
SINGASARITOTO
JIMBASLOT
HUJANTOTO
JUMBOTOTO
OMETOTO
JAYA4D
TOPJITU
KARTUTOTO
KARTUTOTO
MILO4D
MILO4D
TOP1TOTO
sonic77
okbtogel link alternatif
okbtogel login
okbtogel
https://allisonrandolph.com/