Which of the following is an example of “search incident to arrest”?

The concept of "search incident to arrest" refers to a legal principle that allows law enforcement officers to conduct a search of a person and their immediate surroundings at the time of an arrest. This search is permissible without a warrant or probable cause if it is conducted contemporaneously with the arrest, primarily for two reasons: to ensure officer safety and to preserve evidence.

The correct answer, which involves searching within the immediate reach of the arrested individual, aligns perfectly with this legal principle. This area typically includes any objects that could potentially hide a weapon or evidence related to the crime for which the individual is being arrested. The rationale is that an individual might attempt to access items that could pose a danger to officers or destroy evidence. Therefore, a search within this immediate vicinity is justified as a precautionary measure during the arrest process.

In contrast, searching a parked vehicle without permission would not generally qualify as a lawful search unless there are other specific legal grounds, such as probable cause. Searching a suspect's backpack might be justifiable if it falls within the immediate control area, but taken in isolation, it does not inherently match the definition of a search incident to arrest unless it is proven that it was within immediate reach at the time of the arrest. Lastly, searching through an