Page 145 - Original 2020 Legal Guide By Jack Ryan

Task: Probable Cause to Arrest Motor Vehicle Occupants

Maryland v. Pringle, 540 U.S. 366 (2003).

Where police officers discover and seize illicit narcotics during a

lawful vehicle search, the officers have sufficient probable cause to

arrest all of the occupants of the vehicle.

Note: Officers must recognize that states vary with respect to the

interpretation and recognition of “constructive possession.” As such,

a state’s interpretation of constructive possession may impact the

viability of this rule.

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