Jones Grabbed a Purse from Smith's Arm and Began Running

question 16

Essay

Jones grabbed a purse from Smith's arm and began running, when the contents of the purse spilled on the sidewalk.A police officer saw what had happened and arrested Jones.At the time of the arrest, the police officer searched Jones's person and found a pen in his pocket.The officer took the cap off the pen and found cocaine in the pen.The officer then started picking up the purse and various items that had fallen from it.He reached inside the purse and found a pillbox, which he then opened.He found heroin inside Smith's pillbox.Could the findings of the police officer be used in court to convict (a) Jones for the possession of cocaine or (b) Smith for the possession of heroin? Explain your answer.