Do You Mind If I Pat You Down Real Quick? The Forgotten Requirements of a Protective Pat Down
“Do you have anything that is going to stick me, poke me, or hurt me? Do you mind if I pat you down real quick just to make sure?” This is a routine line used by almost every law enforcement officer during any interaction with a citizen, especially during any sort of traffic stop where a driver is asked to exit the vehicle. Most people acquiesce to this sort of suspicionless violation into their bodily integrity without knowing full-well what they are getting into. A “pat down” by law enforcement is better explained as a police officer running his or […]
