Should you give the police permission to search your house or car?

Frequently, when a person is being arrested, the police will ask for permission to search (either the house or car, depending on where the arrest takes place). The police will usually say that if you do not give them permission to search, they will just obtain a search warrant and search anyway.

In truth, before a judge will sign a search warrant, the police have to convince the Judge that there is probable cause for the search. Just because an officer tells you that he will obtain a search warrant does not mean that he will be able to convince a Judge to sign the warrant. As a general rule, my suggestion is to never agree to allow the police to search your house or car. Make them get a search warrant.