Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania
Can a male policeman patdown a female suspect in PA?
Asked on 7/29/11, 1:53 am
1 Answer from Attorneys
Matthew Jorden
Jorden and White Law Firm, LLP
Absolutely. The justification for a pat down of a suspect is to allow the police officer to perform a cursory search for weapons, ultimately for the officers protection.
To make an exception where a male officer is not able to perform a pat down on a female suspect would essentially create a rule that a male police officer is not permitted to take preventative protective measures against female suspects.
Answered on 7/29/11, 7:14 am