Legal Question in Criminal Law in Massachusetts

Is it legal to strip search a passenger of a car stopped for speeding,after they already frisked and pat them in the state of massachusetts


Asked on 7/30/16, 9:14 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Joe Serpa Serpa Law Office

Hi.

These situations are fact intensive. Generally, asking a passenger, or even a driver, to exit a vehicle for any reason during a motor vehicle stop violates the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights. The officer has to have reasonable suspicion that the individual has committed a crime to make an exit order. As the interaction progresses, if the officer observes more evidence to give him more reasonable suspicion, the officer can escalate his conduct into a pat-frisk and an arrest.

A "strip-search" on the the road would be unlawful under any circumstances. A strip-search at the station may be OK after a lawful arrest if the officer has probable cause to believe contraband or a criminal instrumentality is concealed.

Joe

(617) 936-0201

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Answered on 7/31/16, 6:06 am


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