What scenario qualifies as a valid search incident to arrest?

In the context of a valid search incident to arrest, the correct scenario is when a person is observed by police who is wanted on a valid arrest warrant. This situation is rooted in the legal principle that allows law enforcement to conduct a search of a person or their immediate surroundings at the time of arrest without needing a separate search warrant. The rationale behind this is to ensure officer safety and prevent the destruction of evidence.

When officers have a valid arrest warrant, they are authorized to take the individual into custody. During this process, they can perform a search of the arrestee and their immediate area to secure any weapons or contraband that could pose a risk to their safety or could be destroyed. The immediacy of the scenario—where the police observe the individual and can act on the arrest warrant—reinforces the justification for the search.

Other scenarios provided do not meet the legal threshold necessary for a valid search incident to arrest. For instance, an arrest warrant at a person's home is subject to additional considerations such as the location and privacy rights involved. Similarly, a voluntary submission to a search during a traffic stop, while potentially valid, does not have the same legal backing as a search incident to a formal arrest. Lastly, interrogation of a person before