Illinois v. Wardlow: Analysis of the Court's Decision and Impact

This document presents a case study analysis of Illinois v. Wardlow (2000), focusing on the Fourth Amendment implications of police stops. The assignment details the facts of the case, where William Wardlow was stopped in a high-crime area after fleeing from police, and the subsequent search that revealed a handgun. It outlines the procedural history, including the trial court's decision, the Illinois Supreme Court's reversal, and the US Supreme Court's review. The analysis references Terry v. Ohio (1968) and the concept of reasonable suspicion. The author provides a judgment, supporting the court's decision while raising questions about the balance between police authority and individual rights. The case study concludes with a list of references, including a journal article by Goddard Jr. (2000).

ILLINOIS v. WARDLOW (2000)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
REFERENCES...........................................................................................................................4

ILLINOIS v. WARDLOW (2000)
Facts: Upon seeing the police officers the defendant William Wardlow stopped and entered
the area known for heavy drug trafficking. He was having a opaque bag and the police found
him and held onto him (Goddard Jr, 2000). They executed a search of Wardlow, and the
bundle. Feeling a hard, weighty item looking like a handgun inside the bundle, they opened it
to track down a .38 pistol.
Procedural history: At his trial, William argued that police doe not have grounds to stop him
but the court rejected argument but the Illinois Supreme court reversed the conviction and the
US Supreme court accepted the case review. In Terry v. Ohio, 1968, it was ruled out that the
4th amendment permits an officer for conducting a brief investigation when there is a
reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.
Judgement: The court rejected the rule proposed which authorizes the detention of anyone
who flees on seeing police car and also specifies that it would never justify Terry stop. It was
also expressed that high crime area; unprovoked flight does not lead to reasonable suspicion
which justifies the Terry stop and frisk.
Thought and opinion: Based upon the above rule, it can be stated that the judgement given
by the court is right. The case shifts the balance in the direction of the freedom of the police
in against individual rights. The question arises, to what extent, the case restricts the ability of
the citizens for avoiding the police and still not stopped, thus rules required to be reviewed.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Goddard Jr, T. L., 2000. Illinois v. Wardlow. Am. UJ Gender Soc. Pol'y & L., 8. p.217.