Case Law

Graham vs. Connor

Use of Force. Established objectively reasonable standard. The use of force is judged from the oersoective of a reasonable officer on the scene rather than 20/20 hindsight.

Terry v. Ohio

Pat down. If an officer has reasonable suspicion based on articulate facts that a person commuting a crime might have a weapon and is presently dangerous, police may stop them and perform a surface search

Graham vs. Connor

Use of Force. Established objectively reasonable standard. The use of force is judged from the oersoective of a reasonable officer on the scene rather than 20/20 hindsight.

Terry v. Ohio

Pat down. If an officer has reasonable suspicion based on articulate facts that a person commuting a crime might have a weapon and is presently dangerous, police may stop them and perform a surface search

Tennessee vs. Garner

An officer may not use deadly force unless it is necessary to prevent the escape of a suspect and the officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious bodily injury to the officer or others.

Minnesota vs. Dickerson

Plain feel doctrine - officer seize any object "whose contour or mass he/she identifies as apparent contraband

Chimel v. California

Incident to arrest an officer may search the person and the "area within the immediate control". Any other area requires a search warrant

Pennsylvania vs Mimms

May order a person out of vehicle to conduct a pat down during a traffic stop after observing a bulge in pocket

Illinois vs. Wardlow

Held that reasonable suspicion exists when someone is acting nervous, evasive or fleeing a high crime area when noticing police is enough to justify stop.

Florida vs. Bostick

Held during a consensual encounter, officers may ask the individual questions, ask to see ID or consent to search.

Miranda v. Arizona

Custody and interrogation requires Miranda

Weeks v. United States

Established the exclusionary rule in federal cases. Prohibited evidence obtained by illegal searches and seizures from being admitted in court.

Carroll v. United States

The warrant-less search of a car does not violate the Constitution. If an officer has probable cause to believe an automobile contains evidence of a crime, the vehicle can be searched without a warrant.

Arizona v. Gant

Police may only search a vehicle incident to arrest if: The arrestee might access the vehicle @ the time of search, or the vehicle contains evidence of the offense he was arrested for.