Search Incident to Arrest

Search Incident to Arrest is a legal principle allowing law enforcement to search a person and their immediate surroundings without a warrant after they've been lawfully arrested. This exception is intended to ensure officer safety and prevent the destruction of evidence. The scope of the search is typically limited to areas within the arrestee's immediate control, where they might hide weapons or evidence. It must be directly related to the arrest and conducted promptly. Overall, it balances individual rights with law enforcement’s need to maintain safety and gather evidence during an arrest.