Planes, Trains, and Autos - Mini Course

Understanding how the Fourth Amendment applies to mobile conveyances is essential for effective policing. Whether it’s a car, an RV, a boat, or a train, knowing the rules helps you search lawfully and build strong cases. This class breaks down the key requirements and legal considerations you need to navigate these situations confidently.

In Searching Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, you’ll learn how courts define mobile conveyances, the standards for warrantless searches, and the rules that apply when an arrest is involved. We’ll also cover the limits of reasonable suspicion when searching for evidence.

What You’ll Learn

• What is a Mobile Conveyance?
  Learn how courts define mobile conveyances and what that means for your searches.
  
  

• Four Requirements for Warrantless Searches
  Understand the key factors needed to justify a search without a warrant based on probable cause.
  
  

• Searches Incident to Arrest
  Know when and how you can search a vehicle after making an arrest.
  
  

• Limits of Reasonable Suspicion
  Get clear on when reasonable suspicion alone is not enough to search for evidence in a mobile conveyance.

By the end of this class, you’ll be ready to apply these legal principles in the field. You’ll know when you can search a vehicle, how to stay within the law, and how to handle these situations professionally.