In Florida V. Jimena, what three questions must be answered "YES" to allow a search of containers in a vehicle?

In the case of Florida v. Jimena, the court established a protocol for law enforcement regarding the search of containers in a vehicle. The three essential criteria that must be satisfied with a "YES" are based on the principles of probable cause and consent.

The first component, reasonable belief, signifies that officers must have a credible reason to suspect that something illegal is contained within the vehicle or particular containers. This element is critical to justify any search under the Fourth Amendment.

Next, the aspect concerning consent indicates that the search is permissible if the owner or a person with the authority to do so provides voluntary permission. This consent should explicitly apply to the containers within the vehicle, which means that simply allowing a search of the vehicle does not automatically extend to the containers unless it is made clear that consent includes them.

Lastly, the object being able to fit within the container reinforces the rationale behind the search. Officers need to demonstrate that the type of evidence or contraband they are looking for can reasonably be expected to be housed within the specific container that is being searched.

These criteria form a cohesive basis that allows law enforcement to conduct a constitutional search, ensuring that individual rights are respected while also upholding the need for public safety.