Which legal framework allows police to search a vehicle without a warrant when there is probable cause (PC)?

The Carroll Doctrine is the legal framework that allows law enforcement to search a vehicle without a warrant when there is probable cause. This doctrine is rooted in the idea that vehicles can be easily moved, which creates a risk that evidence may be lost if officers are required to secure a warrant before conducting the search. Under the Carroll Doctrine, if officers have probable cause to believe that a vehicle contains evidence of a crime, they are permitted to search the vehicle without obtaining a search warrant.

The Fourth Amendment protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures, but it also recognizes exceptions, such as the one established by the Carroll Doctrine. While the Fourth Amendment is a foundational aspect of search and seizure law, it is the Carroll Doctrine that specifically addresses the circumstances under which vehicle searches are permissible without a warrant.

Miranda Rights pertain to the rights of individuals in custody and do not relate to vehicle searches. The Exclusionary Rule prohibits the use of unlawfully obtained evidence in court but does not provide a framework for warrantless searches. Thus, the Carroll Doctrine is the best choice for this question, as it directly addresses the scenario involving police searches of vehicles based on probable cause.