In this article, our Cook County traffic lawyers explain when the police may search your vehicle. The police may only search your vehicle if they have probable cause to believe a crime has been committed or if you give your consent. Our Cook County traffic attorneys recommend refusing consent in order to preserve your best possible defense. However, if the police attempt to search your vehicle even though you refuse consent, you should not resist them, as your traffic attorney will likely be able to have any evidence they find thrown out.