Car or Home? Can Police Search a Motor Home Without a Warrant?

A motor home has a bed, a kitchen and curtains. When officers have probable cause, is it a car they can search without a warrant, or a home that needs one? In California v. Carney (1985), the Supreme Court ruled 6 to 3 that the automobile exception covered a readily mobile motor home parked in a lot, where it was not being used as a residence. We cover the facts, the Court's two reasons, the test in its own words, what the Court left open in footnote 3 (motor homes set up as residences), the later limit from Collins v. Virginia (2018), the Texas suppression statute, a report writing example and a quiz. Chapters: 0:00 Car or home? The motor home question 0:25 Quick refresher 0:43 The facts of Carney 1:33 The question 1:55 The holding 2:21 The test, and no size rule 2:57 What the Court left open 3:29 The later limit: Collins v. Virginia 3:45 Texas note 4:02 On patrol and writing it up 4:20 Common mistakes 4:33 Quiz 4:59 Summary Sources: California v. Carney, 471 U.S. 386 (1985) Collins v. Virginia, No. 16-1027 (U.S. May 29, 2018) Texas Code of Criminal Procedure art. 38.23 Educational content only, not legal advice. Always follow your agency's policy and your legal advisor's guidance. First Shift Prep is not affiliated with any law enforcement agency. Narration is AI-generated. #PoliceAcademy #CaseLaw #FourthAmendment