NCJ Number
179832
Date Published
1999
Length
160 pages
Annotation
This pocket manual provides law enforcement personnel with basic operational knowledge of the impact of constitutional law on police practices.
Abstract
The statements and rules contained in the manual are derived from the most recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions wherever possible. Thus, they represent that which the U.S. Constitution permits, requires, or forbids. They do not necessarily represent the only course of action permissible and therefore may differ in detail from practices instituted by local enforcement officials. Also, some State and local courts have imposed stricter standards under State constitutions or statutes than the U.S. Supreme Court or the lower Federal courts have imposed under the U.S. Constitution. One chapter reviews case law pertinent to the police-citizen encounter. Topics covered are police activities that require no evidence of wrongdoing as well as investigative detention. Another chapter addresses the various types of and contexts for suspect identification, followed by chapters on grounds and procedures for arrest and search incident to arrest. Remaining chapters pertain to interrogation, search and seizure, surveillance and presentation of evidence, entrapment, and disabled persons. Case references are provided.