The search incident to arrest is limited to which area?

• A. The area within the suspect's reach or movement
• B. The entire building
• C. The entire city
• D. The suspect's office

Answer: (A)

The key idea is the scope of a search incident to arrest: it covers only the area the arrestee can control or reach at the moment of arrest. This rule is designed to protect officer safety and preserve evidence, without turning into a broad rummage of the entire premises or city. So, the search may extend to the arrestee and the immediate area within their reach, but not to distant parts of the building, the whole city, or a separate office. That’s why the area within the suspect’s reach or movement is the appropriate limit.