United States v. Ross

United States v. Ross (1982) was a Supreme Court case that clarified police powers regarding vehicle searches. The Court ruled that if police have probable cause to believe a vehicle contains illegal items, they can search the entire vehicle, including any containers inside. This decision balanced the need for effective law enforcement with individuals' rights against unreasonable searches, affirming that the scope of the search can extend to any place where the items might be concealed, as long as the initial justification—probable cause—exists. This case has implications for privacy rights in the context of automobile searches.