Legal Definitions - immediate control

Immediate control refers to:

1. The area within an arrestee's reach, which can be searched by a police officer without a warrant to ensure their safety and prevent the destruction of evidence.
2. The ability of a driver to instantly govern the movements of their vehicle.

For example, if a person is arrested, the police officer can search the area within their reach, such as their pockets or bags, to ensure their safety and prevent the destruction of evidence. Similarly, if a driver loses immediate control over their vehicle, it could be evidence of negligence, as they are not able to govern the movements of their vehicle effectively.