Four African-American and Hispanic men were driving a beat-up Toyota Corrolla on the interstate leading from New York to Florida when they were stopped for speeding
Police were lead to stop this particular car because when they passed the men going in the opposite direction, the men all craned their necks to look to see if the officers had noticed them. The driver could not verify his address nor did he have a registration for the car. The officer noticed that the roof looked like it had been raised four inches and then welded back on. The officer ordered all of the men out of the car, frisked them and then proceeded to search the interior of the car for weapons and drugs. He found a locked briefcase and asked the driver for the key. The driver gave the officer the key and when he opened the briefcase, he discovered cocaine inside. All four men denied ownership of the drugs and all four have been charged with possession of the drugs. Was the stop and search lawful? Can the four defendants escape liability for drug possession by denying ownership of the contraband?
What will be an ideal response?
ANSWER: Answers may vary: The doctrine of common enterprise in Maryland v. Pringle means, unless one confesses to ownership/possession, there's probable cause they are all owners/possessors because of the small confines of the vehicle.
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