Police can search garbage that is left by you for collection, looking for evidence of any crime, without first obtaining a search warrant, even though there is sufficient time within which to obtain a search warrant.

Question

Police can search garbage that is left by you for collection, looking for evidence of any crime, without first obtaining a search warrant, even though there is sufficient time within which to obtain a search warrant.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in California v. Greenwood (1988) that there is no reasonable expectation of privacy for trash left outside for collection, allowing police to search it without a warrant.

Police Can Search Garbage That Is Left by You for Collection