When police have substantial time to obtain an arrest warrant and there is probable cause but no exigency, the Fourth Amendment requires that they obtain an arrest warrant to lawfully seize the person in a public place.
This statement is true. The police may search an individual in a public place but the individual has the right to refuse this search. This is where the Fourth amendment right comes into play. This right basically protects the individual from police abuse by preventing police from being able to search them or seize any of their belongings. This is unless they have a warrant which was issued by a court due to the police having probable cause that can be proven.
