AUTOMOBILE EXCEPTION

automobile  exception.An  exception  to  the  warrant  requirement  in  Fourth  Amendment

search-and-seizure  law,  holding  that  the  police  may,  without  a  warrant,  thoroughly  search  a A

movable vehicle for which the individual has a lessened expectation of privacy (such as a car or

boat) if probable cause exists. • For purposes of this doctrine, exigent circumstances are presumed

to exist. Once the right to conduct a warrantless search arises, the actual search may take place at a

later time. Carroll v. United States, 267 U.S. 132, 45 S.Ct. 280 (1925); California v. Acevedo, 500

U.S.  565,  111  S.Ct.  1982  (1991).  See  exigent  circumstances  under  CIRCUMSTANCE.  [Cases:

Controlled Substances    114; Searches and Seizures    60. C.J.S. Searches and Seizures § 79.][Blacks Law 8th]