SAUVOLAW Update
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What Happens When I Am Stopped By The Police

By Nicole Sauvola

Sauvola & Associates, P.A.

Updated: June 2007

Contents

Notice: Please note that if you have been charged with a criminal offense, or if you believe your civil rights were violated by the police, you will likely benefit from consulting a criminal defense lawyer. You may wish to contact our office for a consultation at the Sauvola & Associates Contact Page.

When Will The Police Stop A Person?

Generally, the police may stop a person for committing a traffic violation, for suspicion of being engaged in criminal activity, or to arrest the person for a criminal act. After being stopped by the police, a person will typically be questioned.

Can The Police Stop And Question People Who Are Not Under Arrest?

Yes. The police can stop a person, and ask questions, without "arresting" the person. Upon seeing suspicious activity, the police may perform what is called a "Terry Stop," and may temporarily detain people to request that they identify themselves and to question them about the suspicious activity. The scope of a "Terry Stop" is limited to investigation of the specific suspicious activity, and if the police detain people to question them about additional matters, the stop can turn into an "arrest." For their own safety, the police can perform a "weapons frisk" on the outside of a person's clothes (sometimes called "patting down the suspect") during a "Terry Stop." During this frisk, if they feel something that may be a weapon, they may remove it from the suspect for further examination. However, they are not entitled to remove items from person's pockets that do not appear to be weapons, even if they believe that the items are contraband (drugs or paraphrenalia).

When Is A Person "Under Arrest"?

Many people think of an arrest as being a formal declaration by the police, "You are under arrest," followed by the reading of the "MIRANDA RIGHTS". (As seen on TV: "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you.")

Reality is a bit more complicated. An arrest occurs when a person no longer reasonably expects that he is free to leave. A "Terry Stop" is not an arrest, even though the person can't leave during the investigatory questioning, as the detention is of short duration and is limited in its scope. (A "Terry Stop" may involve little more than a short series of questions, such as, "What is your name? Where do you live? Why are you here?") However, if a person is not allowed to leave the scene for an extended period of time, the person may be considered to be "under arrest," even though those words are never used. If a person is handcuffed, is locked in the back of a police car, or is otherwise restrained from leaving, the person will ordinarily be considered to be "under arrest."

If The Police Ask To Search Me, My House, Or My Car, Do I Have To Say "Yes"?

No. You can refuse the police permission to conduct a search. Remember this - the only reason the police officer wants to perform a search is for evidence of criminal activity, and the fact that he is asking reflects an expectation that he will find some. You are entitled to say "No." If the police officer has the legal authority to perform the search, he will do so whether or not you agree. However, if he does not have the legal authority to perform a search, your consent gives him that authority.

During an investigative stop, or a traffic stop, a police officer may ask if he can search you or your car. However, if you give the police officer permission, he can perform the search even if he otherwise had no legal authority to do so. Some people don't know, or forget, that they have an "open" bottle of liquor in the car - a bottle with the seal broken, whether or not the cap is off. Sometimes, people have knives or other weapons which can be classified as illegal "concealed weapons." Sometimes, people forget that they have contraband in their cars, such as illegal drugs, or find to their chagrin that their teenaged child dropped a marijuana cigarette in the car. Unless you are the only person with access to the interior of your car, you may be in for a surprise if you grant permission for a search.

Do The Police Have To "Read Me My Rights" When I Am Arrested?

The police have no obligation to formally announce the arrest when it occurs, or to read a suspect his "MIRANDA RIGHTS" Typically, at some point the police will inform a suspect that he has been arrested. However, many defendants never receive their "Miranda Rights," which relate to the validity of police questioning of suspects who are in custody, and not to the arrest itself.

What Is The Difference Between A "Terry Stop" And An "Arrest."

While a "Terry Stop" can be made upon "reasonable suspicion" that a person may have been engaged in criminal activity, an arrest requires "probable cause" that a suspect committed a criminal offense.

Can the Police Arrest Me Without A Warrant?

For most misdemeanor offenses, a police officer can only make a warrantless arrest of a suspect if the offense was committed in the officer's presence. Officers can arrest people for felonies based upon witness statements, or where a warrant for the person's arrest has been issued.

What Happens If I am Arrested Without Legal Cause?

It is important to note that an "illegal arrest" does not mean that a person can't be charged with a crime. If a person is arrested illegally, and is searched or questioned by the police, evidence gained through the search or questioning may be declared inadmissible. However, there are circumstances where that evidence will be admitted into court despite the illegality of the arrest. Further, if a person has outstanding warrants for other charges, he may be detained on those charges, even though his initial arrest was illegal.

If I Am Arrested, Can The Police Search Me?

The police have the authority to perform a search of a suspect and his immediate surroundings, "incident" to the arrest of the suspect. If the police arrest a person who was driving a car, they ordinarily get the authority to search the entire passenger compartment of the car - and will usually also be able to search passengers for weapons. If the car is impounded, the police may perform an "inventory search" of the entire car, including the contents of the trunk.

Copyright © 2006 Nicole Sauvola. All rights reserved. No portion of this article may be reproduced without the express written permission of the copyright holder, except as follows: You may link this article to your website, either directly or through Sauvolaw Update, provided your link does not depict this article, its author in a negative manner.