Which Supreme Court case shifted the standard for use of force review to the 4th Amendment's "objective reasonableness"?

Prepare for the 2025 CFORCE Options exam with detailed multiple-choice questions. Learn with hints and comprehensive explanations to ensure readiness and confidence for the test day!

The correct answer is the case that established the standard for determining whether the use of force by law enforcement officers is reasonable under the Fourth Amendment. Graham v. Connor is significant because it introduced the "objective reasonableness" standard, which requires that the assessment of whether an officer's use of force was appropriate be judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, taking into consideration the facts and circumstances confronting the officer at the moment. This standard aims to balance the need for law enforcement to maintain order and the rights of individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures.

In this case, the Court emphasized that the reasonableness of a particular use of force must be judged by whether the officer's actions are objectively reasonable in light of the facts and circumstances confronting him or her, rather than on the officer's intentions or motivations. This shift to an objective standard was pivotal in shaping how law enforcement encounters involving the use of force are evaluated under constitutional law.

The other cases mentioned served different purposes within the realm of criminal procedure and rights. Miranda v. Arizona established the requirement for Miranda warnings during custodial interrogations, Terry v. Ohio addressed the standards for stop-and-frisk procedures based on reasonable suspicion, and California v. Greenwood involved the warrantless search

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy