Minneapolis, MN criminal defense attorney Ryan Garry talks about whether you should allow the police to search your vehicle. He states that an individual should never permit the police or any law enforcement officer to search their vehicle without a warrant. Officers often attempt to expand the scope of a routine traffic stop by inquiring into unrelated criminal activity, which is not justified by the original purpose of the stop. Unless law enforcement has a valid search warrant, consent should never be given.

He notes that Minnesota case law, including State v. Askerooth and State v. Wiegand, establishes that if an officer initiates a stop for a specific reason—such as speeding—they may not extend the stop beyond that purpose without objective evidence of additional criminal activity. For example, officers cannot lawfully ask about drugs, weapons, or other contraband absent a factual basis justifying such inquiries.