In New Jersey, Can Cops Search My Bag Without a Warrant? This is What the Law Claims

One of the pillars of American culture is the ability to stroll the streets unhindered by unauthorized people taking anything from your personal property.

This is acknowledged by the 4th Amendment of the United States Constitution, which protects people from “unjustified searches and seizures.” However, what occurs when police authority and this obvious protection clash? For example, are police in New Jersey allowed to open your backpack and search it without a warrant? Like many legal issues, there is some complexity to the answer.

The Fourth Amendment serves as a check on arbitrary police power by mandating that a court or other impartial magistrate determine whether a search is lawful before it takes place. This warrant requirement shields people from unjustified invasions of privacy and stops government agents from going on fishing expeditions.