California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Schmitz, 114 Cal.Rptr.3d 490, 187 Cal.App.4th 722 (Cal. App. 2010):
[5][6] "Unlike a detention, a consensual encounter between a police officer and an individual does not implicate the Fourth Amendment. It is well established that law enforcement officers may approach someone on the street or in another public place and converse if the person is willing to do so. There is no Fourth Amendment violation as long as circumstances are such that a reasonable person would feel free to leave or end the encounter." ( People v. Rivera (2007) 41 Cal.4th 304, 309, 59 Cal.Rptr.3d 473, 159 P.3d 60.)
The above passage should not be considered legal advice. Reliable answers to complex legal questions require comprehensive research memos. To learn more visit www.alexi.com.