Monthly Archives: October 2011

In Thornton v. United States, 541 U.S. 615 (2004), the United States Supreme Court again expanded the authority of law enforcement officers to conduct searches incident to a lawful arrest. In Thornton the Court extended the ruling of New York v. Belton, 453 U.S. 454 (1981), to include “recent occupants” of vehicles. Marcus Thornton was [...]

In 1981, the United States Supreme Court further expanded the authority of law enforcement officers to conduct searches incident to a lawful arrest. In the case before the Court, A New York state police officer pulled over a vehicle traveling at an excessive rate of speed. The vehicle had four occupants, including Roger Belton. During [...]