Search and Seizure Procedures Flashcards

What is a 'search incident to a lawful arrest'?

Answer: A warrantless search of the arrestee and the area within their immediate control at the time of arrest

Search incident to arrest allows officers to search the arrested person and areas within their immediate reach to ensure officer safety and prevent evidence destruction.

Which of the following would justify an officer conducting an emergency (exigent circumstances) search without a warrant?

Answer: An officer hears screaming inside a residence suggesting someone is being injured

Exigent circumstances permit warrantless entry when officers face an emergency threatening life or safety, such as screaming indicating ongoing violence.

During a traffic stop, under what conditions may an officer order a passenger out of the vehicle?

Answer: At any time during a lawful traffic stop, even absent suspicion

Maryland v. Wilson held that officers may order passengers out of a lawfully stopped vehicle as a matter of officer safety, without needing additional justification.

What is the 'good faith exception' to the exclusionary rule?

Answer: Evidence obtained by officers who reasonably relied on a warrant later found invalid may be admissible

United States v. Leon established that evidence is admissible when officers act in reasonable reliance on a facially valid warrant, even if it is later invalidated.

An officer stops a vehicle for a broken taillight. While writing the citation, a drug-sniffing dog arrives and alerts on the vehicle. What applies?

Answer: A dog alert provides probable cause to search the vehicle under the automobile exception

A trained dog's positive alert on a vehicle establishes probable cause, permitting a warrantless vehicle search under the automobile exception.

Which Supreme Court case established that police may not extend a traffic stop beyond its purpose to conduct a dog sniff without reasonable suspicion?

Answer: Rodriguez v. United States

Rodriguez v. United States (2015) held that officers may not prolong a completed traffic stop, even briefly, to conduct a dog sniff without independent reasonable suspicion.