Can Police Search Your RV Without a Warrant?

[Freelander]

 

[John in Montreal]

Yes

 

[tx2sturgis]

RVs get searched and tossed regularly at the inland border check points. This is not a guess, I've seen it, hundreds of times, over a lifetime of passing thru these facilities when driving a truck.

If the K9 alerts, they WILL pull you over into 'secondary'.

 

[WanderingRose]

I’ve been searched and tossed coming back into the US from Canada, and once the ClassB was X-rayed.

Closets, cabinets, drawers, everything, their jumping off point being that I failed to claim the bunch of bananas in plain sight on the galley counter.

I have never in 21 years of RV’ing been otherwise searched, but always, always remember when encountering police for any reason that they have guns and arrest powers.

And this I tell to my grandchildren.

 

[user 423]

The only time I've ever been searched was going from Montana to Canada.

After asking me questions about guns and pot they did a search but it wasn't very thorough.

All the years travelling in the U.S. I've never had a LEO ask to search my vehicle. Even many decades ago when they might have found something

 

[Frood]

Interesting thread that ties in to this one...

https://vanlivingforum.com/threads/civil-asset-forfeiture-and-the-police.45103/

 

[user 22017]

I was searched thoroughly in 1976 returning to the U.S. from Canada. My friend had a new VW Beetle and said she wanted to go on a trip. I suggested Niagara Falls (from Illinois). My boyfriend's dad asked me to bring back a case of Molson beer, which I did. That beer is what caused the search (or maybe it was two teens in a Beetle). Everything in the car was removed. We were at the border crossing for hours.

 

[RV2009]

Any time they want. I have nothing to hide.

 

[Malamute]

I would point out that border crossings are entirely different than domestic police stops as regards rights and searches. Im generally a supporter of LE, but would NOT consent to a search regardless of whether I "had anything to hide" or not. I would respectfully decline, if they chose to proceed, I certainly wouldnt try to stop them, but it would probably be the beginning of a formal complaint and possibly lawsuit. Im not aware of any laws enabling random searches without probable cause or reasonable suspicion,, and Im absolutely stunned when people actually carrying drugs and such consent to a search when they had no legal ability to search otherwise. It used to be called a "fishing expedition", and was rather frowned upon by the courts minus any actual probable cause and reasonable suspicion, none of which can be invented later to full in the blanks or the desire to not give up your privacy being considered probable cause, it aint. If one allows such unjustified searches uncontested, you may as well not have any rights.

Edit: Thinking about this a bit more, I recall LE people stating they would never consent to a search with no probable cause or RS (reasonable suspicion).

 

[Morgana]

If the only people who refuse a search are the people who have something to hide, then the whole right-to-privacy point gets undermined, doesn't it?

At least that's what I think theoretically. In reality, the only time a cop asked about searching my car I said OK. (It was rural Texas, and I kind of svck as an activist.) He didn't search; I think he was looking mostly at how I responded. And I routinely flip the covers off the stuff I keep in the back of the car when I know I'm going to be passing through an immigration checkpoint (it does sort of look like a body-sized lump).

So much for walking my talk. But basically I agree with Malamute.

 

[frater secessus]

If the K9 alerts, they WILL pull you over into 'secondary'.

And also if the K9 "alerts".

 

[Freelander]

On my way to Q last year I had to go through at least 2 Border patrol Checkpoints. I was a bit nervous I had 2 undocumented Mexican dogs with me.


Chihuahuas...................

 

[maki2]

If you are near the southern border they might.....looking to see if you are transporting people who might have illegally entered the USA. But that is nothing new, its been happening for many decades.

 

[user 423]

On my way to Q last year I had to go through at least 2 Border patrol Checkpoints. I was a bit nervous I had 2 undocumented Mexican dogs with me.


Chihuahuas.........

You'll be alright. These days they're focused on Russian wolfhounds.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

I have been searched at the border a couple of times. Not too bad.
Nothing like you see in movies.
Back in the 90's when I was touring in a band, we had some engine trouble.
Called AAA from a payhone and hiked back to the van on the shoulder of the freeway.
Towtruck shows up about 15 minutes later. Says we are just outside the limit of AAA service. But he can still tow us into town for $50.
While arguing 2 cop cars roll up.
Start joking with the tow truck guy. Then decide since we have California plates they have to search the van.
They didn't ask, they said open this, open that.
Pulled all our music gear out in the rain. Asked us what was up with the pack of DRUM rolling papers in the can of DRUM tobacco.
They found zero illicit substances.
We had smoked the last at the rest stop earlier that day.

I'm no lawyer, but from what I understand they can search any part of your car. You can lock things in a safe if you are worried about carrying money or whatnot. But that safe needs to be attached to the car, or they can take it.

 

[scaredycat72]

Yep. They can search if they "smell pot," even if no pot is found and they can search if their dog alerts and the dog is trained to alert on command. Plus you have to stay there until a K9 arrives. The courts have really weakened civil rights as far as law enforcement goes. Vigilante justice is fine online but it doesn't work in real life UNLESS you have a video showing ALL parts of your interaction with LE AND that video is either hidden or can't be erased/destroyed. Otherwise it's your word against theirs and you're going to lose. Plus very few people can afford an attorney for a lawsuit so that is not something they worry about. Again, sounds awesome online. In practice, rarely happens.

 

[Freelander]

I used to drive a wrecker and you be surprised at how Ash Trays were freshly dumped. LOLOLOL

 

[John in Montreal]

Police can search your vehicle if they have "probable cause" that a crime has been committed.

 

[Freelander]

Police can search your vehicle if they have "probable cause" that a crime has been committed.

 

[Tony's Dream]

I was pulled over once and they asked if they could search my vehicle. They used the same stupid line.....it you have nothing to hide, why not agree to a search. I responded, will you allow me to search your cop car while you search mine? He said No! I said, if you have nothing to hide then why not? In some states, they are not allowed to delay you beyond the time it takes for a basic stop. If they keep you there for 30 minutes waiting for canines to show up, that is too long and I would file a complaint. I also don't like the cop who thinks its his job to lecture me on driving. When he starts in with a lecture I stop him and ask him if he is going to give me a ticket. If he is only going to give me a warning, talk on. If you are going to issue me a ticket, I tell them to stop talking and give me the ticket.

I respect the law and if I am speeding, then I get what I deserve. If I run into a power-hungry cop, my cell phone goes on record mode and put them on notice. It's their job and I understand it, but driving down the road does not mean I am willing to give up any rights.