What if the police want to search my car or residence?

You do not have to consent to any police search. Law enforcement has the right to pat down your outer clothing if they have a reasonable suspicion that you may be armed and dangerous. For any other search, police need a warrant to search or probable cause to conduct a warrantless search.

If the police have a warrant, you must allow them to search, but you should not affirmatively or explicitly consent to the search. They can search without a warrant only if they have probable cause. To emphasize: never consent to any kind of search, regardless of what the police say to you. Allow them to search if they have a warrant, but do not give them your affirmative consent.