What does probable cause allow law enforcement to do concerning vehicle searches as established in Wyoming v. Houghton?

Probable cause provides law enforcement with the authority to conduct searches without a warrant when they have sufficient reason to believe that evidence of a crime is present. In the context of vehicle searches, the ruling in Wyoming v. Houghton establishes that if an officer has probable cause to search a vehicle, they are permitted to search areas that are readily accessible to both the driver and passengers.

This means that any area within the passenger compartment that can be reached by the occupants of the vehicle is fair game for search, assuming there is reasonable belief that illegal items or evidence might be found there. This principle recognizes the practicalities of how vehicles are used and acknowledges that individuals where there is probable cause may have hidden items in places they can easily access.

The other options do not accurately convey the implications of probable cause in this context. For instance, while consent could negate the need for a search warrant, probable cause is what justifies the search even in the absence of consent. Similarly, a search warrant would typically be required under other circumstances, but not when probable cause is established. Lastly, merely inspecting the exterior of a vehicle does not take full advantage of the authority granted by probable cause, as it permits a more in-depth search when necessary.