N.J. Abandons Tough Rule on Car Searches

Police who develop probable cause to search during the course of an unplanned vehicle stop no longer need to get a warrant or cite a special emergency before conducting an on-scene search, a divided New Jersey Supreme Court ruled Sept. 24 (State v. Witt, 2015 BL 309231, N.J., A-9, 9/24/15).

In a 5-2 decision by Justice Barry T. Albin, the court said it was retreating from the tighter standard it adopted in 2009 because that test—which required police to secure a warrant—was overly burdensome and didn’t give citizens any extra protection.

‘Dizzying’ List of Factors.

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