Legal Definitions - subterfuge arrest

A subterfuge arrest is when a suspect is arrested for one crime, but the real intention is to search them for evidence of a different crime. This type of arrest is not legal and violates a person's rights.

For example, if a police officer pulls over a driver for a broken taillight, but then arrests them and searches their car for drugs without a warrant or probable cause, it would be considered a subterfuge arrest.

This type of arrest is not allowed because it goes against the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. Police officers must have a valid reason to search someone or make an arrest, and they cannot use subterfuge to get around this requirement.