Do police have the right to search inner zipper pockets of a purse?

Rob C

It really depends on where the purse is located.

The general rule is that police must have a warrant to search. However, there are so many exceptions to that rule, that the general rule doesn't usually apply.

The automobile exception to the warrant requirement provides that if an officer has probable cause that a crime is ongoing, they can search the vehicle and any containers in the car. That would include any purses (and all compartments contained within the purse), even if the purse belonged to a passenger.

If your inquiry does not take into consideration a vehicle, then I think probable cause alone may not sufficient for a warrantless search. If the purse is contained in a home, probable cause alone is not enough. There must be a warrant based on probable cause unless you give consent to search.

A purse can also be searched if you are arrested as a search incident to arrest. That is for police safety. That search would also double as an inventory search to protect police from claims of theft.

Brett Fonnard

absolutely false. If they have reason to believe somehting is wrong, they search whatever they want.

DonnyDotz

The only time a police officer can search your property is 1. the get a warrant or 2. They have probable cause which means u did something which would give them reason to suspect u of doing something wrong. or of course if they ask and u let them

Colanth

If they have probable cause for a search, they can search anything on you - including body cavities. If they don't have probable cause they can't search you or your purse.

MP US Army

If you let them search the purse or if they have a warrant yes.

Geoff C

The true answer to the question is Yes they can.

When a police officer has detained you for questioning they can search you person and the things on your person. Police are allowed to do this for saftey reasons.

Is a person was holding a weapon in their purse and they were not allowed to search it then the suspect could pull it out during questioning. If he searches the person at begining then he would know it was their.

If the purse is in a car and the suspect leaqes it in in the car then they would have to get permission or a warrant or have plain sight probable cause to search it. but if you are on the street and carrying the purse they can search it

ADDITION: This is a nasty addition but informative. For those that said they can even search you butt or cavity are only partially right.

They can visually check a cavity but only trained medical personel can actually root around in there. So if they want to do that they have to take you to a nurse or doctor to do it.

3030

Yes they can if they have a reason to search you they can search your purse your car if you are in your car. The police have the right to do a legal search and they will check zippers and even make you take off your shoes depends on what they are searching for.
3030

California Street Cop

Depends on why I'm searching it.

Ar you on searchable probation or parole? Then I can search every bit of it.

Did you just give me consent to search the purse? Then I can search every bit of it.

Did you leave it in a car that I'm legally searching? Then I can search every bit of it.

Did I bust someone else in the car that had something illegal? Then I can search every bit of it.

Julia B

Probable Cause! Yes, they can and your friend is misinformed.

Kenneth C

If police have probable cause to search the purse, have a warrant or are searching incident to arrest, an inner zipper offers you no more constitutional protection than any other part of the purse.

Heather V

If they are searching you, then they also have a right to search any belongs you have on you, so if you were holding the purse and they decided to search you they will search whole purse. Zippers and pockets have nothing to do with it, if its in the purse they can look at it

Christina Hoffman

yea there allowed to search everywhere and everywhere if it is there. of course they r supposed to ASK u first but sum of them skip that part.... been there dun that..way to many times. just to make sure u can go to google or some search engine and look up legit police searching procegers ( i no i cant spell) lol

wooper

The police can do whatever they want to do.

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