1.3 Legal and constitutional foundations of policing
3 min read•august 9, 2024
The legal and constitutional foundations of policing form the bedrock of law enforcement practices in the United States. These principles, rooted in the Constitution, set boundaries for police powers and protect citizens' rights.
Key concepts include the 's protections against unreasonable searches, during interrogations, and the for illegally obtained evidence. Understanding these foundations is crucial for grasping the balance between effective policing and individual liberties.
Constitutional Protections
Fourth Amendment and Due Process
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Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures by government officials
Requires law enforcement to obtain warrants based on before conducting searches
ensures fair treatment in legal proceedings
Includes right to a fair trial, legal representation, and protection against
Probable cause serves as the standard for obtaining search warrants
Requires facts or evidence that would lead a reasonable person to believe a crime has been committed
allows officers to briefly detain individuals
Based on specific, articulable facts that criminal activity may be afoot
Permits limited pat-downs for weapons (Terry stops)
Search and Seizure Regulations
Search refers to examining a person's property, body, or belongings to find evidence
Seizure involves taking possession of an item or detaining a person
permitted under certain circumstances
(emergencies)
Consent searches
Vehicle searches have different rules than home searches
allows searches with probable cause without a warrant
procedures governed by decision
Allows brief stops based on reasonable suspicion
Limited pat-downs for weapons to ensure officer safety
Police Procedures
Miranda Rights and Interrogations
Miranda rights protect suspects from self-incrimination during police questioning
Officers must inform suspects of their rights before
Right to remain silent
Right to an attorney
Warnings that statements can be used as evidence
Interrogations must cease if suspect invokes right to remain silent or requests an attorney
Voluntary statements made before Miranda warnings may be admissible in court
Public safety exception allows questioning without Miranda warnings in emergencies
Exclusionary Rule and Evidence Admissibility
Exclusionary rule prevents illegally obtained evidence from being used in court
Designed to deter police misconduct and protect constitutional rights
extends exclusion to evidence derived from illegal searches
Exceptions to the exclusionary rule include:
(officer reasonably believed they were acting lawfully)
(evidence would have been found through legal means)
requires officers to identify themselves before entering a premises
Violations may lead to evidence suppression
Use of Force Guidelines
outlines appropriate levels of force for different situations
justified only when necessary to prevent death or serious bodily harm
Less-lethal options include tasers, pepper spray, and rubber bullets
emphasized to reduce need for force
Officers must consider totality of circumstances when deciding to use force
Excessive force claims evaluated under standard
Objective reasonableness test based on facts known to officer at the time
Legal Doctrine
Qualified Immunity and Officer Liability
protects government officials from civil lawsuits
Shields officers from liability unless they violate clearly established constitutional rights
Intended to allow officers to perform duties without fear of constant litigation
Critics argue it creates a barrier to holding officers accountable for misconduct
Does not apply to criminal prosecutions or departmental disciplinary actions
Recent reform efforts aim to modify or eliminate qualified immunity
Civil rights lawsuits () can proceed if qualified immunity is denied
Courts use two-part test to determine if qualified immunity applies:
Whether a constitutional right was violated
Whether that right was clearly established at the time of the incident