Pubdate: Thu, 01 May 2014
Source: Reporter, The (Lansdale, PA)
Copyright: 2014 The Reporter
Contact:  http://www.thereporteronline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3468
Page: A2

PA. COURT OKS WARRANTLESS VEHICLE SEARCHES

LANCASTER (AP) - Pennsylvania's highest court says police don't
necessarily need a warrant to search a vehicle, but can do it based on
reasonable probable cause.

The Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era reported Wednesday that
the case involved a 2010 vehicle stop in Philadelphia that produced
two pounds of marijuana.

The decision aligns Pennsylvania with existing federal
standards.

A local police chief tells the newspaper the decision helps law
enforcement in drug investigations, but defense attorneys are calling
it an expansion of government power and a possible step toward the
elimination of personal privacy and freedom.

In a dissent, Justice Debra Todd says the decision "contravenes over
225 years of unyielding protection against unreasonable search and
seizure." She calls the change "diametrically contrary to the deep
historical and legal traditions" of Pennsylvania.
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