What is the authority of a police officer in criminal cases?

In Maryland, police officers have a great deal of authority when it comes to criminal cases. This authority is granted to them by state laws, which allow police officers to investigate, arrest, and charge someone who is suspected of committing a crime. First and foremost, police officers have the power to investigate people and places in order to gather evidence of a criminal act. This includes the authority to question suspects, search for evidence such as weapons or drugs, and collect DNA samples. In addition, police officers have the authority to make arrests. This means they can take a suspect into custody, transport them to a police station, and place them on trial. Finally, police officers have the authority to charge someone with a crime. This is a formal accusation of criminal activity and it is the start of the criminal justice process. Once a suspect is charged, they are given the chance to defend themselves in court. Overall, police officers have a great deal of authority when it comes to criminal cases in Maryland. This includes the power to investigate, arrest, and charge someone with a criminal act. These powers are in place to help ensure the safety of citizens and maintain justice in the state.

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