Under Arizona V. Gant, when can police search a vehicle incident to arrest?

In the context of Arizona v. Gant, the police are allowed to search a vehicle incident to an arrest when the arrestee is within reaching distance of the vehicle's compartments at the time of the search. This ruling is rooted in the need to ensure officer safety and preserve evidence. The rationale is that an officer may need to prevent an arrestee from accessing weaponry or evidence that could be hidden or destroyed if they are close to the vehicle.

This principle establishes a clear boundary regarding when a vehicle can be searched: it must be tied directly to the arrest situation. The focus is on the immediate vicinity and potential access of the arrestee to any contents within the vehicle, which justifies the search as a protective measure.

The other options suggest conditions that do not align with the standard set forth in the ruling. A parked vehicle does not automatically permit a search, nor does mere suspicion of contraband warrant a search without the specified circumstances of the arrest. Additionally, a traffic violation alone does not provide the grounds for searching a vehicle; the ruling is specifically tied to the context of an arrest.