Law Enforcement Bulletin 

Question: Have you made a valid arrest even though the prosecutor does not charge the suspect with the crime you arrested him for because the facts ultimately do not support the arrest?
 
Quick Answer: Yes, if the officer believes at the time of the arrest there is probable cause criminal activity is occurring.

Question: If your search and seizure of a suspect has been determined invalid, is the evidence you found still able to be used for a conviction?
 
Quick Answer: No, if the evidence is “fruit of the poisonous tree.”

Question: Is circumstantial evidence enough to arrest someone when there is no hard evidence that the person committed a crime?
 
Quick Answer: Yes, circumstantial evidence can be used when it is inferred from reasonable and justifiably connected facts to support a finding of criminal activity.

Question: Is the act of blocking a path of exit to a suspect a minimally intrusive Terry stop or a seizure?
 
Quick Answer: The act of blocking a suspect’s path of exit constitutes a seizure, unless a reasonable person would believe he was free to leave.

Question: Do suspects have a right to privacy in a law enforcement interrogation room?
 
Quick Answer: Typically no, but if a recording device is hidden and a reasonable person would believe the room was not monitored, the suspect may have an expectation of privacy.