Articles Tagged with Does That Protect Locked Containers?

Why Vehicle Searches Escalate So Quickly in Chicago Criminal Cases

In Chicago, routine traffic stops frequently turn into criminal investigations. A broken taillight in Back of the Yards, a rolling stop in Lincoln Square, or a late‑night stop near the West Loop can become a full vehicle search within minutes. One of the most misunderstood issues I see as a Chicago criminal defense lawyer is what happens after a driver refuses consent to search the car.

Many people believe that refusing consent automatically prevents police from searching anything inside the vehicle. Others believe that even if officers can search the car, locked containers are off limits. Under Illinois and federal law, neither belief is fully correct.