Does the court differentiate between a probable cause search of an automobile and a search of a specific object within the automobile?

The correct answer is that the court does not differentiate between a probable cause search of an automobile and a search of a specific object within the automobile. In legal terms, once probable cause is established to search a vehicle, officers are permitted to search the entire vehicle, including all compartments and containers within it. This principle is rooted in the established legal precedent that vehicles are inherently movable and, therefore, officers can act quickly to secure evidence before it becomes unavailable.

For example, if an officer has probable cause based on observations or evidence of criminal activity and believes that contraband is present, the officer may search not just the entire automobile but any specific items within, such as bags or compartments, without needing additional justification for each item. This is different from searches conducted in other contexts, such as home searches, where different standards can apply.

The other options imply nuances or exceptions that do not align with the general legal principle established for vehicle searches under probable cause. The law treats the search of a vehicle and specific objects within it uniformly under the rationale that the overall context provides sufficient justification for such searches when there is probable cause.