Constitutional policing
10 Supreme Court Cases Every Police Officer Should Know
A practical reference to ten Supreme Court decisions that shape everyday law enforcement work, from stops and searches to interrogations and use of force.
Constitutional case law is not a substitute for agency policy, state law, local prosecutor guidance, or legal advice. These ten decisions provide a practical foundation for recognizing the legal questions that arise in everyday policing.
- 1
Terry v. Ohio (1968)
Recognized that an officer may briefly stop a person when reasonable suspicion exists and may conduct a limited protective frisk when there is reason to believe the person is armed and dangerous.
- 2
Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
Requires warnings before custodial interrogation when the government seeks to use a suspect’s statements in its case-in-chief. Custody and interrogation are the key questions.
- 3
Graham v. Connor (1989)
Established that claims of excessive force during a seizure are evaluated under the Fourth Amendment’s objective-reasonableness standard, based on the facts known at the time.
- 4
Tennessee v. Garner (1985)
Limits the use of deadly force against a fleeing suspect. The decision remains central to agency policy, training, and force analysis.
- 5
Illinois v. Gates (1983)
Adopted the totality-of-the-circumstances approach for evaluating probable cause based on informant information.
- 6
Carroll v. United States (1925)
Recognized the automobile exception, allowing a warrantless vehicle search when officers have probable cause to believe it contains evidence or contraband.
- 7
Arizona v. Gant (2009)
Clarified limits on vehicle searches incident to arrest, tying them to arrestee access or a reasonable belief that evidence of the offense of arrest may be found in the vehicle.
- 8
Riley v. California (2014)
Held that police generally need a warrant to search the digital contents of a cell phone seized incident to arrest, subject to established exceptions.
- 9
Brady v. Maryland (1963)
Requires the prosecution to disclose material evidence favorable to the accused. Officers should understand agency and prosecutor procedures for identifying and preserving potentially exculpatory information.
- 10
Mapp v. Ohio (1961)
Applied the exclusionary rule to state criminal proceedings, making Fourth Amendment compliance central to whether evidence can be used in court.
Use this list as a starting point
The most effective way to use case law is to connect it to realistic scenarios, current agency policy, and the facts officers must articulate. Review the full opinions and consult qualified legal counsel for jurisdiction-specific guidance.