Search and Seizure

[Page 884]The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides for the protection and respect of the privacy of every citizen. Law enforcement agencies are the only governmental agencies with authority to use coercive force or threat of coercive force against a suspect, ideally as a last resort, in the enforcement of law and in the maintenance of law and order in society. In carrying out this onerous responsibility, law enforcement officers may intrude into the personal space of an individual to control crime or prevent it from happening. This proactive approach to crime control may necessitate the search and seizure of a person by law enforcement officers. Except for certain stipulated conditions, the search and seizure of an individual is a violation of the Fourth ...