What Kinds of Searches Can a Police Officer Conduct When There Is No Warrant?
• Frisk Search – In the interests of safety, a police officer is permitted to briefly frisk a person¿s outer clothing for weapons. When frisking a person’s outer clothing for weapons, the police may feel other items that raise their suspicions. However, the officer can only legally search inside the pockets if he feels a weapon, unless of course it is a search incident to arrest or you give consent (see Consent Searches and Search”Incident to Arrest”). If the officer then finds something illegal, i.e. drugs, the search is legal, and the officer can legally arrest you. • Consent Searches – A consent search occurs when a person in control of the premises “freely and voluntarily” gives the police his consent to conduct a search. While the police have no obligation to inform people that they can refuse consent searches, they cannot coerce, trick, or intimidate someone into giving their consent to search. If an officer asks: “May I come inside and look around,” you can always refuse the off
