7/17/08-A bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee address probable cause for searches of motor vehicles.
Sponsored by Sen. Shirley Turner, D-Mercer, S1520 would require law enforcement officers have probable cause to believe that a vehicle contains unlawful property before searching it.
In a statement attached to the bill, Turner wrote that by requiring probable cause for vehicle searches, the bill would eliminate so-called “consent searches.” No longer would officers who reasonably suspect wrongdoing be empowered to search a vehicle if they obtain the driver’s consent, she wrote.
The provision would apply to all state and local law enforcement officers in New Jersey.
For bill status, call (609) 292-4840. In New Jersey, call 1-800-792-8630.