According to the ruling in Wyoming v. Houghton, when can police search every container in a vehicle?

In the case of Wyoming v. Houghton, the ruling established that if law enforcement has probable cause to search a vehicle, they are permitted to search every container found within that vehicle, regardless of who owns those containers. This principle stems from the need to ensure that evidence related to the probable cause is not destroyed or hidden, providing officers the ability to conduct a thorough search for the items that warranted the initial probable cause.

The justification for this ruling rests on the idea that a vehicle is inherently mobile; thus, requiring a warrant could allow for the potential loss of evidence. When officers have probable cause to believe that evidence of a crime is present in a vehicle, they can act swiftly to secure and search not just the vehicle itself but all containers within it. This includes bags, boxes, or even personal belongings that may be passengers'.

Therefore, the requirement of probable cause reflects the balance between individual rights and the needs of law enforcement in ensuring public safety and effective investigation. This establishes a clear guideline for officers on when an extensive search is permissible in relation to the contents of a vehicle.