Opinion ID: 2273474
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Justification for Initiating the Search

Text: Having found that the search was supported by probable cause, we find adequate justification for this search. It goes without saying that had the officer not been made immediately aware of the contraband by the plain feel of his hand during a Terry pat down, and continued to conduct a strip search of Appellee in the field, such conduct would shock the conscience of this Court and would not be tolerated. But we do not have that here. Here, the search was performed after the officers: recognized that Appellee might be subject to a bench warrant; witnessed him conceal something near his groin; faced a potentially dangerous, ongoing fracas; heard an individual scream It's in his crotch!; knew that he sometimes carried a weapon; and became immediately aware that Appellee was harboring drugs on his person. We find that because of the need for officer and public safety and the need to preserve evidence, there existed ample justification to conduct this search.