What doctrine did the case Brendlin v. California clarify regarding traffic stops?

The case Brendlin v. California clarified that a passenger in a vehicle is also seized during a traffic stop. This is important because it establishes that the constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures apply not just to the driver, but to all individuals present in the vehicle at the time of the stop.

The Supreme Court determined that a traffic stop is a type of seizure under the Fourth Amendment and, therefore, affects both the driver and the passengers. This means that passengers cannot simply exit the vehicle without consequence or assert that they are free to go; they are similarly affected by the authority exerted by law enforcement during the encounter. This understanding enhances the legal framework regarding the rights of individuals in vehicles, ensuring that all occupants are considered during the scrutiny of such stops.

By clarifying this point, Brendlin v. California has significant implications for how officers approach traffic stops and how courts evaluate the legality of their actions concerning all individuals inside the vehicle.