I have a
safe in my van large enough to hold our laptops and other small valuables when we go off hiking or something. I bolted it right to & through the floor and is then hidden behind a wooden panel. We had multiple military inspections while in Baja earlier this year, and not one of those guys noticed that the wooden panel is removable. It is hidden in plain sight and worth every penny. Is it a secret hidden compartment? No more than the glove box is. But, the law may feel differently.
The Ohio law says...
"Hidden compartment" means a
container, space, or enclosure that conceals, hides, or otherwise prevents the discovery of the contents of the container, space, or enclosure. "Hidden compartment" includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(a) False, altered, or modified fuel tanks;
(b) Any original factory equipment on a vehicle that has been modified to conceal, hide, or prevent the discovery of the modified equipment's contents;
(c)
Any compartment, space, box, or other closed container that is added or attached to existing compartments, spaces, boxes, or closed containers integrated or attached to a vehicle."
Also, having a "hidden compartment" is probable cause to search the rest of your vehicle (which they will tear down to the sheet-metal, I promise you).
These are illegal substance laws. The California law says that the compartment is illegal if it contains illegal drugs. So, having one there to hold valuables is not an issue... although you have have to *prove your innocence* by opening it for an officer which should not be the case IMO.
Sounds like another good reason to N E V E R give consent to a search, no matter what... ever.