California v. Acevedo - Impact

The Acevedo Court established a clear rule for police to follow when searching containers found in vehicles. At the law enforcement level, the decision has broadened police officers' ability to conduct a search without first obtaining a search warrant. It has prevented defendants challenging an automobile search from arguing that a search warrant was necessary. Instead, the only question they can raise is whether there was probable cause to initiate the search. As a practical matter, since the Acevedo decision, evidence obtained in a vehicle search is more likely to be admitted into evidence against a defendant at trial.