NCJ Number
144965
Journal
Crime to Court, Police Officer's Handbook Dated: (October 1993) Pages: complete issue
Date Published
1993
Length
20 pages
Annotation
The primary focus of this issue of Crime to Court is the issue of consenting searches--specifically, the case of United States v. Rich.
Abstract
A Texas state highway trooper pulled over a pickup truck whose rear license plate light bulb was burned out. The trooper became suspicious, noting nervousness in the motorist's manner. He received consent to "have a look in" the vehicle, then proceeded to search luggage and found marijuana--ultimately, 92 pounds--and arrested the motorist. A discussion then revolves around whether the search went beyond the scope of consent. Drawing from legal precedent, the U.S. Court of Appeals concluded that the search did not violate the motorist's Fourth Amendment rights and that greater specificity of consent is not required. Therefore, the Court reversed the district court's decision to grant the motorist a motion to suppress the fact of possession of marijuana. Included in this handbook are summaries of relevant legal precedents, a posttest questionnaire, and an unrelated section on the importance of quick and efficient police response in cases of child abuse.