Warrantless Vehicle Searches Ruled Unconstitutional

In a stunning reversal the PA Supreme Court in Com. V. Alexander (decided on Dec. 22, 2020) ruled that a Search Warrant IS required to search a vehicle unless there is BOTH probable cause to believe a crime occurred AND emergency circumstances that require immediate action.  The Court overruled its 2014 decision in Gary  that permitted searches of vehicles if the police believed contraband was present.