Florence v. Board of Chosen Freeholders

Florence v. Board of Chosen Freeholders (2012) is a U.S. Supreme Court case that addressed whether police officers can perform warrantless searches of individuals' individuals' personal belongings in public transport stations. The Court ruled that such searches are justified under the Fourth Amendment because they are reasonable given the government's interest in security at transportation hubs. The decision clarified that law enforcement can conduct limited searches, like bag searches at busy transit areas, without a warrant, to maintain safety. The ruling balances individual privacy rights against public safety needs in specific, high-traffic environments.