Can the police go through your backpack if approaching you on the streets?

Question

if so, what would make probable cause? do they need a warrant? lemme know

Answer 1

no, they cant search you. Just pat down

Answer 2

to search anything they have to have probable cause . which would be if they found something near you to say you threw it down . they like to use i smell marijuana and that gives probable cause . and yes they need a warrant without probable cause . if not they are in violation of your 4th amendment . dont answer any questions dont even talk to them . this is what more people need to learn . stand up for our rights .  

Answer 3

Here at Greece they search as all the time.  

Answer 4

plice can do anything.

once I left a ackpack in a park and i came back and a cop had it and had looked through it cause he thought there was a bomb in it!

Answer 5

Warrant is required, unless an exception exists.

Applicable exceptions:

Search incident to custodial arrest.  But, requires probable cause to arrest.

Consent to search.

Exigent circumstances.

That's pretty much it.

Note:  Probable cause is what allows police to obtain a search warrant.  Police need to take that probable cause to a judge and obtain a warrant.  Probable cause without a search warrant is as good as no probable cause at all.

Answer 6

No they cannot unless the have probable cause to think that something you are holding in there can cause them or will be used to cause them" imminent bodily harm"

Answer 7

Having a grandson as  a cop. I just asked him and he say yep they can. Probable cause is what the officer thinks. No warrant needed he says. But my thinking is this may vary for state to state.

Answer 8

They need probable cause, but they will almost always find an accomodating judge and a precinct full of yes men to back them up if it is questioned.