Pennsylvania v Mimms: explained. | Street Cop Training

1. The Holding in Pennsylvania v. Mimms, 434 U.S. 106 (1977) The U.S. Supreme Court held that during a lawful traffic stop, a police officer may order the driver out of the vehicle as a matter of course — without any additional justification beyond the reason for the stop itself. • The Court balanced officer safety against the minimal intrusion of being asked to step out. • It concluded that the safety concern outweighed the minor inconvenience to the driver. Key Quote: “The order to get out of