Case Brief
CASE: Maryland v. Buie, 494 U.S. 325 (1990)
SUMMARY OF THE FACTS: Following an armed robbery, police obtained arrest warrants for both suspects. While executing defendant Buie’s arrest warrant at his home, he came out of the basement. An officer then conducted a search of the basement in case there was anyone else there that posed a danger to the officer’s safety. During this search the officer found the running suit that was worn at the time of the robbery.
ISSUE: (1) Is probable cause that a danger exists required in order to conduct a protective sweep of a suspect’s home? (2) Are items found during a protective sweep allowed to be seized?
APPLICABLE RULES OF LAW: The Fourth Amendment states that people are protected from