Opinion ID: 1208626
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Of Strip Searches and the Fourth Amendment

Text: In undertaking our threshold constitutional inquiry, we first take note of our long-standing precedent covering strip searches of those arrested for misdemeanors: The Fourth Amendment requires an individualized reasonable suspicion that [a misdemeanor] arrestee is concealing weapons or other contraband based on the crime charged, the particular characteristics of the arrestee and/or the circumstances of the arrest before [he] may be lawfully subjected to a strip search. Hartline v. Gallo, 546 F.3d 95, 100 (2d Cir.2008) (citing Weber v. Dell, 804 F.2d 796, 802 (2d Cir.1986)) (first alteration in original); see also Walsh v. Franco, 849 F.2d 66, 68-69 (2d Cir.1988). The written policy of the Schoharie County Jail tracks the language of our precedent by providing that a strip search may be conducted only [w]here an officer has made a determination that there is reasonable suspicion to believe that the inmate should be searched or [w]here an officer has reasonable suspicion to believe an inmate is hiding contraband on his person and/or the inmate is in possession of contraband. There is to be no touching of the body unless the inmate fails to cooperate in the search. A much higher standard is required for body cavity searches: [c]ompelling reasons to believe that ... contraband... constitut[ing] a clear threat to the safety and security of the facility is concealed in a body cavity. The version of events at the Schoharie County Jail described by the plaintiffs do not describe a body cavity search, and Sheriff Bates has indicated that no such searches have been conducted at the jail during his tenure as Sheriff. Various terms are used to describe the inspection of a naked body, and the terms are distinguished by the degrees of intrusion involved in the search for contraband. The term strip search is used generally to describe any inspection of the naked body. See N.G. v. Connecticut, 382 F.3d 225, 228 n. 4 (2d Cir.2003). An individual being strip searched may be required to move his body in various ways to permit a more complete inspection. Id. A visual body-cavity search is a strip search that entails the specific examination of the genitals and anus, without any bodily contact by the inspector. Id. Finally, a manual body-cavity search is a strip search that involves a naked body examination, including a viewing of the genitals and anus, by touching or probing with an instrument. Id.