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Hampton highlights the case of California v. Acevedo, which clarifies that if officers have probable cause to believe that a particular container (like your backpack) inside the vehicle holds contraband, they can search it without a warrant. However, they must articulate specific probable cause related to the backpack itself, not just the general contents of the car.
Scenario Three: Police Stop While Walking
Another scenario involves walking down the street when police officers approach and ask to search your backpack. The legality of this search often depends on whether the police have a reasonable basis for suspicion or emergency circumstances.