Quote Originally Posted by hip55 View Post
There is no theory involved at all, that's the law.

If you get pulled over and asked to get out of your car, you comply.

As you step out you put your keys in your pocket, lock the doors and close the door.

This (being a habit that you are used to doing) keeps your personal property secure from everyone, especially from warrantless searches.

(Sigh)...I dunno. The ongoing argument is getting tiring.

It is a simple thing. You don't have to give consent if you are asked. If they see something unlawful in the vehicle, they don't need consent, nor a warrant. There is a motor vehicle exception to the warrant requirement. It deals with the ability to move the vehicle. If you lock the vehicle and they saw something inside it, they can break the window to get in...and they won't be required to pay for the repair (just to cut that argument off at the pass).

My law book states this:

4 Ways to Search a Vehicle
1. Consent
2. Probable Cause
3. Impound Inventory
4. Search Incident to Arrest

Additional Ways
5. Plain View
6. Exigency
7. Search Incident to Detainment
8. Search Warrant

#4 was recently successfully challenged in court and is in the process of appeal to the Supreme Court. We'll have to see if the Supremes are willing to hear the case.