The scope of a search incident to arrest extends to the entirety of the defendant. True or False?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only the arrestee's person
• D. Only the clothing

Answer: (A)

A search incident to arrest is limited to the arrestee and the area within the arrestee’s immediate control at the time of the arrest. This rule comes from Chimel v. California and is meant to protect officer safety and prevent evidence from being destroyed. It does not extend to the entire defendant. The law allows a search of the arrestee’s person and the immediate surroundings within reach (including clothing and pockets touched by the arrestee), but not a blanket search of the whole body or distant areas beyond reach. So the statement is false because the scope is not the entirety of the defendant.