If an officer has probable cause, how much of an automobile can they search without a warrant?

When an officer has probable cause, they have the legal justification to search a vehicle without a warrant, and they are permitted to search any area where evidence of a crime may be found. This means that the officer can access and search not only the interior compartments such as the trunk, glove compartment, and any other storage areas but also other parts of the vehicle where contraband or relevant evidence might be hidden.

This principle is grounded in the automobile exception to the Fourth Amendment, which recognizes that vehicles can inherently move, and it may not be practical to obtain a warrant in a timely manner. Therefore, if there is probable cause, the officer can search areas within the vehicle that a judge would reasonably allow if a warrant were to be requested, covering all parts of the vehicle where evidence or contraband may reasonably be located. This makes the choice regarding the extent of the search correct, as it emphasizes the full scope granted under probable cause, rather than restricting the search to specific locations or items.