Searches incident to a lawful arrest

In most cases, a search warrant is required to perform a lawful search. A long-recognized exception to this requirement is searches incident to a lawful arrest.[1] This rule permits an officer to perform a warrantless search during or immediately after a lawful arrest. This search is limited to only the person arrested and the area immediately surrounding the person in which the person may gain possession of a weapon, in some way effect an escape, or destroy or hide evidence.[2]

In the case of Arizona v. Gant (April 21, 2009) the Supreme Court ruled a further exemption in that the police can search a car following arrest only if they could have a reasonable belief that the person arrested "could have accessed his car at the time of the search" or "that evidence of the offense for which he was arrested might have been found therein."

See also

References

  1. ^ Kerr, Orin (2010-12-14) The Origins of the “Search Incident to Arrest” Exception, The Volokh Conspiracy
  2. ^ O'Connor, T. (2006-05-15). "Search And Seizure: A Guide to Rules, Requirements, Tests, Doctrines, and Exceptions". Archived from the original on 2008-01-02. http://web.archive.org/web/20080102041151/http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/405/405lect04.htm. Retrieved 2006-08-14.  But see Maryland v. Buie'', 494 U.S. 325 (1990) (holding Fourth Amendment permits properly limited protective sweep in conjunction with in-home arrest when searching officer possesses reasonable belief based on specific and articulable facts that area to be swept harbors individual posing danger to those on arrest scene).

Further reading