ABSTRACT
This chapter provides some context of the law as it applies on the streets. The law related to the actions of police officers covers everything from simple traffic stops to the authority of police to take the life of another person. There are thousands of laws and court decisions that cover almost everything police officers do in their jobs. Searches of vehicles and things in vehicles have more case law associated with them than any other part of the criminal justice system. Like search and seizure law, there is a great deal of case law related to questioning suspects since this is also a critical element in many investigations. Miranda made law that police must provide proper notice to an accused of his or her rights at any time there is a “custodial interrogation.” The actions of police officers may have negative consequences in terms of the evidence being excluded from trial.
