Question

What was the reason California's appeal in the Acevedo case was successful?

Answer 1

The California Court of Appeal decided that the latter case was more relevant. Since the officers only had probable cause to believe the bag contained evidence - not the car generally - they could not open the bag without a search warrant.

Answer 2

California won its appeal in the Acevedo case as it resolved contradictions amongst incidents involving car searches and searches of other mobile containers, such as luggage or a paper bag in the trunk.