Legal Question in Criminal Law in Illinois

Search of automobiles

If a car is pulled over, using probable cause, is it permissible to enter a locked safe, if the possible proceeds to the crime might be evident there?

During a custodial arrest, is it allowed to search a locked safe which was found in the trunk?

Both stops are viable stops.


Asked on 4/05/02, 12:29 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

David Shestokas Shestokas, & Associates

Re: Search of automobiles

Typically, a locked safe is something in which someone has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Usually, even a in custodial search it is for the purpose of conducting an inventory of the vehicle. Unless there is some nexus to the stop and the safe, it is likely that a search warrant would be required to legally open the safe.

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Answered on 4/06/02, 10:45 pm


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