Police Searches After an Arrest

Police may search those whom they arrest -- within limits.

More Legal Topics

Police Questioning of Suspects: The Miranda Rule
Questioning By the Police
Talking to the Police When You're Not in Custody
When Police Violate the Miranda Rule
Search and Seizure Laws
Agreeing to a Police Search
Seizing Items "In Plain View"
Police Searches on the Street: Stop & Frisk
Car Searches by Police
Roadblocks and Sobriety Checkpoints

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Police may search those whom they arrest -- within limits. In certain cases, the police may seize illegal property from the home or car of an arrested suspect.

Searches Incident to an Arrest

The police are limited as to how they may search arrestees.

Police Searches After an Arrest: Scope and Intensity
The location of the police officer, as well as the type of property the evidence is on, will determine whether a warrant is needed.
Searching Your Home After an Arrest
Police have a limited right to search you and your immediate surroundings.

Commonly Asked Questions

These questions often arise when dealing with searches incident to arrest.

Is a search following an illegal arrest valid?