[coloradan]

Assistant U.S. Attorney Janet Parker contended that the ranger was justified in searching the car. Since the car belongs to Whitmore's wife, Whitmore himself had no expectation of privacy while in it, and also his behavior provided grounds for the search, she argued.

Say what?! Does that mean that I should have no expectation of privacy while visiting my parents at their house? (Meaning, a cop can search me while there?) Does it mean that, since I have to pay the government money each year to drive my car on public roads, and to "own" my house, that I don't really own either, and have no expectation of privacy there either? This is just sick.

[Drammach]

Say what?! Does that mean that I should have no expectation of privacy while visiting my parents at their house? (Meaning, a cop can search me while there?)

Yepper.. That's what it means.. These prosecutors just interpreted it wrongly in this case, but your interpretation is, indeed, correct..

If authorities suspect someone (say, You) of participating in an illegal activity, (say, drug trafficking) and you are observed entering a 3rd party's residence, (say, your parent's home) they are authorized to enter and search the residence, and any / all occupants under "probable cause"...
( I believe this was an East Coast Federal Court's decision, but as a prior judgement, it stands up in court nationally.)