Police

Supreme Court rules police in New Jersey can search your car without a warrant

The state Supreme Court has reversed itself, in other words, went backwards and brought back warrantless searches by police during car stops.

Published

9 years ago

September 27, 2015

Unheard Voices Staff

Photo by Kindel Media: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-a-police-vehicle-7785098/

Police in New Jersey can now search your car without a warrant. The state’s Supreme Court has reversed itself, in other words, went backwards and brought back warrantless searches by police during car stops.

Supreme Court Ruled Police in New Jersey Can Search Your Car Without A Warrant

Police in New Jersey can now search a vehicle without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe there is contraband or evidence of a crime as long as the circumstances that led to the probable cause are unforeseeable and spontaneous.

The decision overturns a rule put in place six years ago that led to officers calling for warrants during many stops.

The decision comes in the case of William Witt, who was charged with weapons charges after police found a gun in his center console after pulling him over for not dimming his high beams.

Acting Attorney General John Hoffman says the ruling achieves an appropriate balance between protecting constitutional rights and public safety.

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Unheard Voices Staff

Unheard Voices is an award-winning news magazine that started in 2004 as a newsletter in the Asbury Park, Neptune, and Long Branch, NJ areas to broadening into a recognized Black online media outlet. The company is one of the few outlets dedicated to covering social justice issues. They are the recipient of the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and CV Magazine's Innovator Award for Best Social Justice Communications Company.