Code of Criminal Procedure · U.S. Supreme Court, 1976

South Dakota v. Opperman

South Dakota v. Opperman is a 1976 U.S. Supreme Court decision. This page summarizes key points and works through practice questions for Texas peace officer exam preparation.

Key points

  • Vehicle lawfully impounded
  • Inventory conducted pursuant to standardized procedures
  • Not pretext for general investigation

Learn more about this topic

Time yourself, score your run, review missed questions with statute references — Free Practice Pass cadets get limited access.

Start Free Practice

Worked examples

Worked example 1

An inventory search of a lawfully impounded vehicle must be:

  1. Done at the discretion of the officer
  2. Conducted pursuant to a standardized agency policy or procedure, not as a pretext for investigative search Correct
  3. Limited to the trunk only
  4. Done only at headquarters
Why: Inventory searches are administrative — they must follow established agency procedures and cannot be a ruse for an investigative search. Items found may be admissible.
Statute: South Dakota v. Opperman; Colorado v. Bertine