4th Amendment
1969

Chimel v. California

395 U.S. 752 (1969)

The Supreme Court ruling that anchors one of the POP phrases. Plain-English summary below, with the precise phrase to invoke and when to use it.

Phrase to invoke
"I want to speak to a lawyer."

When to use this phrase Timing

The moment you are placed under arrest, before any search of the surrounding area. Asking for a lawyer is the only thing that pauses both the questioning and the search, and it is the trigger that lets Chimel's scope limit be argued later.

The ruling in plain English

The Supreme Court held that a search incident to a lawful arrest is limited to the person of the arrestee and the area within their immediate control — the space from which they could grab a weapon or destroy evidence. The officer cannot use the arrest as a license to search the rest of the house, the car, or anything else outside that radius.

Chimel v. California, 395 U.S. 752 (1969)

Use This Phrase During Your Stop

Open Stop Mode on your phone — pinned phrase, recording timer, and live legal context.

Open Stop Mode