US v Place (1983) permits a dog sniff of the exterior of a vehicle during a lawful stop.

US v Place (1983) permits a dog sniff of the exterior of a vehicle during a lawful stop.

• A. It is permissible only with a warrant.
• B. It is permissible during any stop even without lawfulness.
• C. It is never permissible to sniff a vehicle.
• D. It is permissible if the vehicle stop is lawful and sniff occurs during the stop.

Answer: (D)

The main idea this question tests is that a dog sniff of the outside of a vehicle is allowed when the vehicle stop itself is lawful. Because the stop is already justified, using a trained dog to sniff the exterior of the car does not constitute a Fourth Amendment search. The sniff simply reveals whether drugs are present and does not intrude on privacy in a way that would require a warrant or probable cause. It’s permitted as long as the stop is lawful and the sniff occurs during that stop, and it shouldn’t be used to extend the stop beyond what is necessary. That’s why the best answer is that the sniff is permissible if the vehicle stop is lawful and the sniff happens during the stop. The other options imply unnecessary requirements (like a warrant) or a blanket prohibition, or ignore the condition that the stop itself must be lawful.

The main idea this question tests is that a dog sniff of the outside of a vehicle is allowed when the vehicle stop itself is lawful. Because the stop is already justified, using a trained dog to sniff the exterior of the car does not constitute a Fourth Amendment search. The sniff simply reveals whether drugs are present and does not intrude on privacy in a way that would require a warrant or probable cause. It’s permitted as long as the stop is lawful and the sniff occurs during that stop, and it shouldn’t be used to extend the stop beyond what is necessary. That’s why the best answer is that the sniff is permissible if the vehicle stop is lawful and the sniff happens during the stop. The other options imply unnecessary requirements (like a warrant) or a blanket prohibition, or ignore the condition that the stop itself must be lawful.