Optical Serenity said:
But locking your keys in your car? Well, that is only harmful to yourself really, and absolutely insane! Haha...
If you take the time to actually
read my "insane" post, you'll notice that I specified this as a possible option
if your car had a touch-pad entry door.
YOU can get back into the car at any time. And since you're standing right there, it's in no sense abandoned. (Office Fife: "That's right, Your Honor, the car was abandoned. I didn't pay any mind at all to what the owner standing right next to it was saying, 'cause I know better than he does.")
If there's VISIBLE contraband - bales of marijuana, kiddie porn on the seat, sacks of cash stained by a dye packet, open bottle of Jim Beam, whatever - the officer has PC to break in anyway. (After arresting and cuffing you.) And he won't be
asking you for permission to go on a fishing expedition - he won't have to.
If there's NO VISIBLE contraband, he's going to have a very difficult time establishing PC as to why he broke in, especially if there's nothing to be found. Politely declining permission for a search isn't PC for a search. (And no, I'm not going to cuss out the LEO or anything rude, I'm going to be unfailingly polite, even as I decline permission for a search - see my original post.)
As for obstruction, I believe the officer will have a very difficult time proving such against you just because you don't open a locked vehicle for a search when there's no visible contraband and he has no warrant. Where's the PC?
Optical Serenity said:
And well, I make sure I check all my lights, tires, etc. when I drive. If you cannot afford to get light bulbs for your car or a rag to make sure your plates and lights are not obstructed, then you shouldn't drive.
Good for you - we're in general agreement here. But I've lost count of the number of police cars I've seen on the road with a burned out headlight, burned out tail light, cracked windshield, etc. Not to mention tailgating, speeding w/o lights or siren, failures to signal a turn, etc. But somehow, it never seemed like a good idea to flag them down and tell them they shouldn't be driving.