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

A police officer in Texas has the authority to investigate crimes, arrest suspects, and collect evidence. In a criminal case, a police officer must have reasonable suspicion or probable cause to arrest a person suspected of a crime or to search a person or property for evidence of a crime. Reasonable suspicion requires a police officer to have an articulable and reasonable suspicion that criminal activity is afoot. Probable cause, on the other hand, requires a police officer to have sufficient facts to conclude that a crime has been committed or that a particular person committed the crime. Once an arrest has been made, a police officer may then take additional steps to carry out the investigation, such as conducting interviews and interrogations, as well as collecting evidence and testimony from witnesses. A police officer may also take photographs and measurements, seize property, and draw diagrams. However, a police officer’s authority in Texas does not extend to performing searches or collecting evidence without a warrant. Texas law requires that, unless there are exigent circumstances, police officers must secure a warrant from a judge before conducting a search, collecting evidence, or making an arrest. Once a warrant is issued, a police officer may then lawfully enter a residence or business in order to carry out the search or arrest. Thus, while a police officer in Texas has considerable authority in criminal cases, the law still puts limits on a police officer’s power. Police officers must act within the confines of the law, and they may only exercise their authority under certain conditions that protect citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures.

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

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