Quote:
Originally Posted by Growinboy
Judges in some districts (more liberal ones) have ruled that searches after traffic stops can only be done with probable cause (plain view, odor of reefer, something that BEGS for THE MAN's attention), otherwise the case/evidence is thrown out. Also, all secondary searches must be done within a reasonable amount of time, ie, no more time than an average traffic stop would take. For example, if joe cop wants to run a k9 through your vehicle to check for drugs but the k9 unit is 30 minutes away, it would be unlawful for the cop to detain you until the k9 got there.
Also, DO NOT use legal advice you get in the this forum or others to argue your case with a cop while you are involved in something with a cop! If the officer is violating your rights and you know it, keep it to yourself and let your attorney know as soon as youre clear.
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As far as the K9 unit is concerned: You do not have to let the K9 unit in your car. A K9 that is trained to sniff illegal drugs such as marijuana and cocaine have very strong scents and can smell those things from the outside of the vehicle. The best thing to do in the case of being stopped by a police officer wanting to search your vehicle is to tell them that they can not search your car and that if they want to search it, then they can get the K9 UNIT out there to search it. Once the K9 UNIT gets there and they order you out of your car, then leave your lights on, pull your keys out of the ignition and put them in your pocket. LOCK THE DOORS ONCE GETTING OUT OF THE CAR! If the police ask you why you locked the doors, then tell them that the dogs have strong scents and if drugs were in the car then the dog would be able to smell them from the outside.