Under what circumstance can police search a person without a warrant?

The answer emphasizing reasonable grounds connected to an arrest highlights an important principle in law enforcement. When police officers have reasonable grounds to believe that an individual is involved in criminal activity, they can conduct a search without a warrant as part of the arrest process. This allows for the collection of evidence and ensures the safety of both the officers and the public. The requirement of “reasonable grounds” serves to protect individuals against arbitrary searches and aligns with legal standards that maintain a balance between public safety and personal rights.

Consenting to a search is another way police can search someone without a warrant, but that is not the focus of the answer in this context. Suspicion alone does not grant police the authority to conduct a search without probable cause or reasonable grounds, emphasizing the necessity of concrete evidence or actions to justify such an intrusion. Similarly, the presence of a crime in the vicinity does not automatically authorize a search without a warrant; there must be a direct connection to the individual being searched. Thus, the emphasis on reasonable grounds related to an arrest is both a practical measure for law enforcement and a safeguard for individual rights within the legal system.