IMMEDIATE CONTROL

immediate control.Criminal procedure. 1. The area within an arrestee’s reach. • A police officer may conduct a warrantless search of this area to ensure the officer’s safety and to prevent the arrestee from destroying evidence. [Cases: Arrest 71.1(5); Automobiles 349.5(10). C.J.S. Arrest §§ 70–71.] 2. Vehicular control that is close enough to allow the driver to instantly govern the vehicle’s movements. • A driver’s failure to maintain immediate control over the vehicle could be evidence of negligence.

[Blacks Law 8th]