What constitutes a seizure by law enforcement?

A seizure by law enforcement occurs when an officer's actions lead a reasonable person to believe that they are not free to leave. This concept is grounded in the Fourth Amendment, which protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures.

When an officer orders a person to stop walking away, it creates a situation where the individual may reasonably feel that they are being compelled to stop and cannot leave the scene. This command reflects the officer's control over the situation, thereby meeting the legal standard for a seizure.

In contrast, simply handcuffing a person and placing them in a patrol car is a more definitive action that indicates a seizure has occurred, but it presupposes that the initial interaction—where the person was ordered to stop—has taken place first. Similarly, the issuance of a verbal warning does not constitute a seizure, as it does not limit the individual's freedom of movement. Obtaining and executing a search warrant pertains to the authority for conducting a search and is a separate legal process, not directly related to the act of seizing a person.

Therefore, the first option effectively captures the initial action that constitutes a legal seizure in terms of police authority over an individual.