If I was arrested for driving a rental car not registered to me but to my wife, did that give the police the right to searchthe car?

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If I was arrested for driving a rental car not registered to me but to my wife, did that give the police the right to searchthe car?

The car was registered to my fiance who was with me. She denied the permission to search the car. That’s when they asked who was on the rental agreement. They finally said they were locking me up for driving a rental car not registered to me and searched the car. They found marijuana and I was charged with possession with intent to distribute. They didn’t smell a odor coming from the car, we were not speeding, and we were wearing seatbelt. Is driving a rental not registered to you a reason to be arrested? They said they had the right to search it because they charged me with something.

Asked on January 20, 2012 under Criminal Law, Maryland

Answers:

Hong Shen / Roberts Law Group

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

No that is not the reason they searched the car. They must have some other reasons to stop the car. Once they stopped the car, such as a traffic stop, they can search the car.


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