Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania

Can a male policeman patdown a female suspect in PA?


Asked on 7/29/11, 1:53 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Matthew Jorden Jorden and White Law Firm, LLP

Absolutely. The justification for a pat down of a suspect is to allow the police officer to perform a cursory search for weapons, ultimately for the officers protection.

To make an exception where a male officer is not able to perform a pat down on a female suspect would essentially create a rule that a male police officer is not permitted to take preventative protective measures against female suspects.

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Answered on 7/29/11, 7:14 am


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