| Michigan v. Long (1983) -Vehicle Protective Searches |
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| Facts: Officers saw a suspect act suspiciously during a traffic stop and observed a hunting knife on the floorboard. Officers frisked the vehicle and found Marijuana. |
| Ruling: Officers can frisk the driver, passenger compartment, any unlocked containers in the passenger compartment, and areas within immediate reach during a traffic stop if they have a reasonable suspicion that the driver or passenger is armed and dangerous. |
| How This Affects Law Enforcement: 1. Justified because occupants may return to the vehicle and access weapons to assault Officers. 2. Frisk is limited only to areas within immediate reach. |