In which case did the Supreme Court rule that containers in a vehicle could be searched if probable cause exists?

The Supreme Court case of Wyoming v. Houghton established that if law enforcement has probable cause to search a vehicle, they are permitted to search containers within that vehicle, regardless of who the container belongs to. This ruling underscores the principle that probable cause justifies a search of both the vehicle and any items within it, as the rationale is that the officer has a reasonable belief that evidence of a crime may be found in those containers.

In this case, the Court addressed the balance between individuals' rights and the needs of law enforcement, affirming that when probable cause is established, the authorized scope of a search includes not just the vehicle itself but also any containers that could reasonably hold evidence related to the suspect activity or illegal items. This ruling significantly impacts the way law enforcement conducts vehicle searches and the parameters of consent and probable cause during traffic stops.