What case determined the reasonableness of a search when an arrest is made?

The case that determined the reasonableness of a search when an arrest is made is Chimel v. California. In this landmark decision, the Supreme Court held that, incident to a lawful arrest, an officer may conduct a search of the arrestee's person and the area within their immediate control. This means the officer can search for weapons or evidence that could be destroyed, which is deemed reasonable and necessary for ensuring officer safety and the integrity of evidence.

Chimel v. California set clear boundaries on the scope of searches during arrests, effectively ruling that any search must be closely tied to the reasons for the arrest and must not extend beyond the immediate area from which the individual could reach for potential weapons or evidence. This ruling established critical guidelines for law enforcement to follow regarding the balance between an individual’s Fourth Amendment rights and the necessary procedural actions during arrest.