AZ POST key terms

The constitutional rule that protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by government agents. It requires officers to have a legal basis, such as a warrant, probable cause, or a recognized exception, before intruding on a person's privacy.

Facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable officer to believe a crime has been, is being, or will be committed, or that evidence is in a certain place. It is a higher standard than reasonable suspicion.

Specific, articulable facts plus rational inferences drawn from those facts that suggest criminal activity may be occurring. It permits a brief investigative detention but is less demanding than probable cause.

A brief, involuntary detention of a person based on reasonable suspicion so an officer can investigate suspected criminal activity. The person is not free to leave but is not under formal arrest.

A limited outer-clothing pat for weapons during a lawful investigative detention. It requires reasonable suspicion that the person is armed and dangerous and is not a general search for evidence.

A written court order based on probable cause in a sworn affidavit that authorizes officers to search a specific place or person and seize described items. It must state the place and items with particularity.

Urgent conditions that make getting a warrant impractical, such as imminent danger to life, a fleeing suspect, or likely destruction of evidence. They justify a warrantless action limited to what the emergency requires.

Permits an officer lawfully in a position to see an item to seize it when its incriminating character is immediately apparent. The officer must also have lawful access to the item.

A warrantless search allowed when a person with authority over the place or item voluntarily agrees to it. Consent must be given freely, and the person may limit or withdraw it at any time.

A warrantless search of an arrested person and the area within immediate reach, done to find weapons and prevent destruction of evidence. It follows a lawful custodial arrest.

The advisement police must give before custodial interrogation, telling a suspect of the right to remain silent, that statements can be used against them, the right to counsel, and appointed counsel if unable to pay.

Questioning by police reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response, conducted while the person is in custody or deprived of freedom in a significant way. Miranda warnings are required.

A court remedy that bars the prosecution from using evidence obtained in violation of a defendant's constitutional rights. Its purpose is to deter unlawful police conduct.

The doctrine that evidence derived from an illegal search or seizure is also inadmissible, unless an exception such as inevitable discovery or attenuation applies.

Taking a person into custody to answer for a criminal charge, based on probable cause. An arrest may be made with a warrant or, for felonies and some misdemeanors, without one.

The administrative process after arrest: recording identity, photographing, fingerprinting, inventorying property, and preparing the person for an initial court appearance.

The first court appearance at which the defendant is informed of the charges, advised of rights, and asked to enter a plea. Release conditions or bail are often set at this hearing.

A serious crime punishable by more than one year in prison, or by death or prison under Arizona law. Felony cases are generally prosecuted in superior court and may result in loss of civil rights.

A lesser crime punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine, handled in a limited jurisdiction court. Arizona divides misdemeanors into classes with set sentencing ranges.

The compiled body of Arizona law, cited as A.R.S. with title and section numbers. Officers use it to identify the elements, classification, and penalties of state offenses.

Arizona constitutional protections for crime victims, including the right to be informed, to be present at proceedings, to be heard, and to restitution. Officers must give victims written notice of these rights.

An investigative detention of a vehicle and its occupants based on reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or other crime. The scope is limited to the purpose of the stop unless new facts justify expanding it.

The process of building probable cause that a driver is impaired: driving observations, personal contact, standardized field sobriety tests, and chemical testing under Arizona's implied consent law.

Standardized roadside exercises, such as horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk-and-turn, and one-leg stand, used to evaluate a driver's impairment. Results support or undercut probable cause for a DUI arrest.

Under Arizona law, certain crimes committed against a family or household member or intimate partner. Officers must identify the primary aggressor and follow mandatory arrest and reporting requirements.

Documenting an incident in a clear, factual, chronological account that includes observations, actions taken, evidence handled, and statements made. Reports support prosecution and are subject to disclosure.

The documented, unbroken record of who handled evidence, when, and where, from collection through trial. Gaps in the record weaken or destroy the evidence's admissibility and credibility.

The physical location where an offense occurred and where evidence may be found. Officers secure it, protect evidence from contamination, and begin documentation before investigators arrive.

Any item, testimony, or information that tends to prove or disprove a fact at issue. It may be direct, circumstantial, physical, or testimonial, and must be relevant and authentic to be admitted.

An out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. It is generally inadmissible unless a recognized rule or exception, such as an excited utterance, applies.

A problem-solving method standing for Scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment. It is used to identify recurring crime problems, understand their causes, and evaluate whether the response worked.

A strategy of working with residents and organizations to identify public safety problems and build trust. It emphasizes partnerships, two-way communication, and long-term problem solving rather than only reactive calls.

A communication skill in which the officer gives full attention, observes body language, and reflects back the speaker's words and feelings to confirm understanding and encourage cooperation.

Recognizing and safely responding to a person in a behavioral health crisis, using calm communication, time, and available resources instead of force whenever the situation permits.

Techniques such as time, distance, cover, calm communication, and tactical repositioning used to lower the intensity of a situation so that force is less likely to be needed.

The amount of physical coercion an officer reasonably applies to gain compliance or protect life. It must be objectively reasonable, necessary, and proportional to the circumstances the officer faces.

The U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that force is judged by objective reasonableness under the Fourth Amendment, weighing the severity of the crime, the immediate threat, and whether the subject resisted or fled.

Force that the officer knows or should know creates a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury. It is limited to situations where the officer reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent death or serious injury.

An officer's obligation to step in, verbally or physically, when another officer uses excessive or unlawful force, and to report the conduct to a supervisor.

The distance an officer keeps from a subject to allow time to perceive and react to a sudden attack. It is commonly taught as about six to nine feet and adjusted for the circumstances.