Exigent circumstances may allow search of car State v Lewis 411 N.J. Super. 483 A-2066-08T4 (2-08-10)

Exigent circumstances may allow search of car State v Lewis 411 N.J. Super. 483 A-2066-08T4 (2-08-10)
Where police stopped vehicle at night in a neighborhood known for drug sales based on evidence providing probable cause to believe vehicle contained drugs, persons other than the occupants who also had reason to believe the vehicle contained drugs may have had access to the vehicle, and there was a substantial question whether other police officers would have been available to detain the occupants while an application was made for a warrant, the State established the exigent circumstances required to justify a search of the vehicle under the automobile exception to the warrant requirement. Moreover, the validity of the search was not affected by the fact that drugs were found in a closed leather case because, when the automobile exception applies, the police may search every part of the vehicle and its contents that may conceal the object of
the search.