Document: 533 U.S. 27121 S.Ct. 2038150 L.Ed.2d 94 NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal revision before publication in the preliminary print of United States Reports. Readers are requested notify Reporter Decisions, Supreme Court States, Washington, D. C. 20543, any typographical or other errors, order that corrections may be made goes press.DANNY LEE KYLLO, PETITIONERv.UNITED STATES No. 99-8508. SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED Argued February 20, 2001Decided June 11, 2001 Syllabus Suspicious marijuana was being grown petitioner Kyllo's home a triplex, agents used thermal imaging device scan triplex determine if amount heat emanating from it consistent with high-intensity lamps typically for indoor growth. The showed garage roof and side wall were relatively hot compared rest his substantially warmer than neighboring units. Based part on imaging, Federal Magistrate Judge issued warrant search home, where found growing. After Kyllo indicted federal drug charge, he unsuccessfully moved suppress evidence seized then entered conditional guilty plea. Ninth Circuit ultimately affirmed, upholding ground had shown no subjective expectation privacy because attempt conceal escaping home. Even had, ruled court, there objectively reasonable imager did not expose intimate details life, only amorphous spots home's exterior. Held: Where, as here, Government uses general public use, explore private would previously have been unknowable without physical intrusion, surveillance Fourth Amendment "search," presumptively unreasonable warrant. Pp. 3-13. (a) question whether warrantless hence constitutional must answered most instances, but antecedent "search" has occurred so simple. approved visual see California v. Ciraolo, 476 207, 213, ruling observation at all, Dow Chemical Co. 227, 234-235, 239. In assessing when search, adapted principle first enunciated Katz 389 347, 361: A does occur-even its object house explicitly protected by Amendment-unless individual manifested searched object, society willing recognize reasonable, see, e.g., supra, 211. 3-5. (b) While difficult refine test some case interior-the prototypical commonly litigated area privacy-there ready criterion, roots deep common law, minimal exists, acknowledged reasonable. To withdraw protection this minimum permit police technology erode guaranteed Amendment. Thus, obtaining sense-enhancing information regarding interior could otherwise obtained "intrusion into constitutionally area," Silverman 365 505, 512, constitutes search-at least (as here) use. assures preservation degree against government existed adopted. 6-7. (c) product search. rejects Government's argument upheld detected radiating external surface. Such mechanical interpretation rejected Katz, eavesdropping picked up sound waves reached exterior phone booth which attached. Reversing approach leave homeowner mercy advancing technology-including discern all human activity Also contention detect "intimate details." an wrong because, sanctity details. See Karo, 468 705; Chemical, 238, distinguished. It also impractical application, failing provide workable accommodation between law enforcement needs interests. Oliver 466 170, 181. 7-12. (d) Since unlawful will remain District whether, provided, supported probable cause-and not, basis supporting admission evidence. 12-13. 190 F.3d 1041, reversed remanded. ON WRIT CERTIORARI TO APPEALS FOR NINTH CIRCUIT Scalia, J., delivered Court, Souter, Thomas, Ginsburg, Breyer, JJ., joined. Opinion Justice Scalia Court. 1 presents use thermal-imaging aimed street relative amounts within meaning 2 * 1991 Agent William Elliott Department Interior came suspect belonging Danny Kyllo, Rhododendron Drive Florence, Oregon. Indoor growth requires lamps. petitioner's such lamps, 3:20 a.m. January 16, 1992, Dan Haas Agema Thermovision 210 triplex. Thermal imagers infrared radiation, virtually objects emit visible naked eye. converts radiation images based warmth-black cool, white hot, shades gray connote differences; respect, operates somewhat like video camera showing images. took few minutes performed passenger seat Elliott's vehicle across front back house. over homes concluded using halide lights grow house, indeed was. tips informants, utility bills, authorizing growing operation involving more 100 plants. Petitioner one count manufacturing marijuana, violation 21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1). He 3 Appeals remanded evidentiary hearing intrusiveness imaging. On remand "is non-intrusive emits rays beams shows crude image radiated outside house"; "did show people walls structure"; "[t]he cannot penetrate windows reveal conversations activities"; "[n]o observed." Supp. App. Pet. Cert. 39-40. these findings, validity relied upon reaffirmed denial motion suppress. divided initially reversed, 140 1249 (1998), withdrawn panel (after change composition) 1041 (1999), Noonan dissenting. court held id., 1046, even life," "amorphous 'hot spots' wall," 1047. We granted certiorari. 530 1305 (2000). II 4 provides right secure their persons, houses, papers, effects, searches seizures, shall violated." "At very core" "stands man retreat own free governmental intrusion." 511 (1961). With exceptions, no. Illinois Rodriguez, 497 177, 181 (1990); Payton New York, 445 573, 586 (1980). 5 hand, simple under our precedent. permissibility ordinary clear well 20th century, jurisprudence tied common-law trespass. See, Goldman 316 129, 134-136 (1942); Olmstead 277 438, 464-466 (1928). Cf. 510-512 (technical trespass necessary violation; suffices "actual intrusion area"). Visual unquestionably lawful " 'the eye laws England trespass.' Boyd 116 616, 628 (1886) (quoting Entick Carrington, 19 How. St. Tr. 1029, 95 Eng. Rep. 807 (K. B. 1765)). since decoupled person's rights trespassory property, Rakas Illinois, 439 128, 143 (1978), lawfulness still preserved. As we observed 213 (1986), never extended require officers shield eyes passing thoroughfares." 6 One might think new validating rationale examining portion plain view, while "search"1 despite absence trespass, "unreasonable" Minnesota Carter, 525 83, 104 (1998) (Breyer, concurring judgment). But fact all-perhaps preserve intact doctrine unconstitutional. 239 (1986). applied reverse 347 (1967). involved means electronic listening placed telephone booth-a location catalog ("persons, effects") protects searches. nonetheless "justifiably relied" booth. Id., 353. Harlan's oft-quoted concurrence described it, occurs violates recognizes 361. subsequently hold concerned-unless "the challenged search," "society [is] reasonable." holding pen register company what numbers dialed Smith Maryland, 442 735, 743-744 (1979), two different occasions aerial surrounding areas constitute supra; Florida Riley, 488 (1989). 7 present involves engaged naked-eye reserved judgment how much technological enhancement perception vantage point, any, too much. enhanced photography industrial complex noted "it important immediately adjacent expectations heightened," U.S., 237, n. (emphasis original). III 8 foolish contend secured citizens entirely unaffected advance technology. For example, cases discussed above make clear, enabling flight exposed view (and hence, said, official observation) uncovered portions curtilage once private. 215. confront today limits power shrink realm privacy. 9 test-whether prepared reasonable-has often criticized circular, unpredictable. W. LaFave, Search Seizure 2.1(d), pp. 393-394 (3d ed. 1996); Posner, Uncertain Protection Privacy 1979 S. Ct. Rev. 173, 188; 97 (Scalia, concurring). Rakas, 143-144, 12. booths, automobiles, residences issue, homes-the Silverman, search.2 10 maintains, however, "only surface house," Brief 26. dissent makes leading post, 1, contending fundamental difference calls "off-the-wall" observations "through-the-wall surveillance." just captures powerful directional microphone picks house-and satellite capable scanning many miles away pick light crude, rule adopt take account sophisticated systems already development.3 dissent's reliance distinction "through-the-wall" incompatible belief, discuss below, impermissible. devices continue measure rather "through-the-wall"; disapproval those devices, 10, acknowledgement substance distinction. extraordinary assertion anything learned through "an inference" 4-5, validate technologies purports disapprove. Surely believe through-the-wall radar ultrasound produces 8-by-10 Kodak glossy analysis (i.e., making inferences). And, course, novel proposition inference insulates blatantly contrary 705 (1984), "inferred" activation beeper certain can ether unlawful.4 11 contends "detect activities occurring areas," 22. points out 238. complex, share Amendment's measurement quality quantity obtained. invasion structure "by fraction inch," much, certainly exception requirement officer who barely cracks open door sees nothing nonintimate rug vestibule floor. show, details, entire safe prying eyes. thing home; Arizona Hicks, 480 321 (1987), went beyond lawfully observe "plain view" registration number phonograph turntable. These they detail warm-or warm-Kyllo heating residence.5 12 Limiting prohibition details" principle; "a interests Amendment," (1984). begin with, connection sophistication equipment "intimacy" observes-which say assured) issue here always lawful. disclose, hour each night lady takes her daily sauna bath-a consider "intimate"; system someone left closet on. words, develop approving identifies smaller 36 inches, specifying "intimate" not. And (if ever) fully developed, able know details-and thus unable constitutional. 13 proposed standard-whether offers "functional equivalent actual presence searched," 7-would seem quite similar blush. concludes case, inexplicably asserts same revealed volume conversation, permissible, 10. Yet if, technology, actually booth, Stevens should conclude occurred. 735 (Stevens, dissenting part) ("I find little comfort Court's notion until listener obtains significant device... . bathtub less plumber turned"). person heat. Thus driving force dissent, recitation standard, appears among types information-whether "homeowner care anybody noticed," practical guidance application reasons discussed, none. police, deserve precision.6 14 said draws firm line entrance Payton, 590. That line, think, bright-which specification methods possible videotape "significant" compromise homeowner's occurred, long original forward. "The construed deemed seizure adopted, manner conserve citizens." Carroll 267 132, 149 (1925). 15 16 pursuant produced. 17 18 reversed; further proceedings opinion. ordered. 20 Stevens, filed opinion, Rehnquist, O'Connor Kennedy, NOTES: When now, meant "[t]o look purpose finding something; explore; examine inspection; as, book; wood thief." N. Webster, An American Dictionary English Language 66 (1828) (reprint 6th 1989). repeated obtain 3, (opinion J.), simply inaccurate. reveals various rooms particularly important, 4, 5, saying comparison circumstances observers perceive, home-for observing snowmelt roof, 3-is irrelevant. sometimes violate might, learn particular setting year-round surveillance; breaking entering event, observer discerned ability "see" opaque barriers scientifically feasible, goal research development. National Law Enforcement Corrections Technology Center, program Justice, features Internet Website projects include "Radar-Based Through-the-Wall Surveillance System," "Handheld Ultrasound Through Wall Surveillance," "Radar Flashlight" "will enable individuals building walls." www.nlectc.org/techproj/ (visited May 2001). Some low levels travel "through-the-wall," others, passive, puts it. asserts, misunderstood alone If good-faith effort render point germane hand. police's allegedly inferencing, emanations search; says mean that, technologically inferences inside known, knows better intends. agree. bearing, hi-tech cites statement 207 noting apparent agreement State house's become 'invasive' 'modern technology' 'those associations, imperceptible fellow citizens.' 215, brief California). focus second-hand dictum intimacy otherwise-imperceptibility, precisely vindicate today. argues injected potential uncertainty factor. 7-8. quarrel, us 215 ("In age commercial airways routine, respondent expect plants altitude 1,000 feet"). Given confidently "routine," decline reexamine whom Chief O'Connor, Kennedy join, 22 There is, my judgment, magnitude surveillance" gives direct access area, thought processes draw domain, crafted deal merely indirect deductions surveillance, Those fairly primitive gathered data invade interest privacy.1 Moreover, I supposedly "bright-line" created response concerns about future developments unnecessary, unwise, inconsistent 23 need craft decide controlled established principles jurisprudence. core principles, "searches seizures unreasonable." (1980) added). equally settled property 586-587.2 Whether residential commercial, basic same: 'What knowingly exposes public, office, protection.' (1986) 351 (1967)); 445, 449-450 (1989); Greenwood, 486 35, 40-41 (1988); 235-236 (1986); Air Pollution Variance Bd. Colo. Western Alfalfa Corp., 416 861, 865 (1974). implicated here. 24 "take[s] decides largely yet-to-be-developed allow surveillance," ante, 11-12; 8, off-the-wall gather All passively emitted surfaces measurements differences emission levels, vaguely indicating others. scans Appendix, infra, revealed. Unlike x-ray scan, techniques, detection accomplish unauthorized penetration premises," 509 (1961), nor "obtain 705, 715 25 Indeed, senses neighbor passerby notice building, vented, Additionally, member another nearby rainwater evaporates snow melts rates surfaces. convert instead, adjoining allowed onto verify perceptions sensitive thermometer. Nor, distance aid discloses another. Nothing case. 26 emissions dwelling matter implicating protections (the text guarantees "to ... houses" added)) unprecedented seriously. Heat waves, aromas generated kitchen, laboratory opium den, enter domain building. implausible surely "one 'reasonable.' 361 (Harlan, 27 sure, concerning place invasions apply functional equivalent. "details home" "any home," "showed" "concluded" engaging illegal Ante, 2. absurd characterize "searches," regardless inferred (rightly) (wrongly) [was taking] bath." 10-11. either conclusions contents discarded garbage, 35 (1988), data, or, subpoenaed records, 1043 (CA9 1999). time history, assumes violation. 8.3 28 Notwithstanding implications today's decision, strong avoiding litigation monitoring homes, drawn monitoring. Just reasonably expected avert criminal public," 41, officials detecting excessive heat, traces smoke, suspicious odors, odorless gases, airborne particulates, radioactive emissions, identify hazards community. "sense-enhancing technology," 6, drawing useful monitoring, service. 29 countervailing best trivial. generally insulated keep in, prevent going out, me suffer requiring rare both intends engage uncommon produce wishes production outsiders, sure insulated. Jacobsen, 109, 122 (1984) ("The concept nature, critically mere expectation, however justified, facts come attention authorities"). concealing one's pales significance chief evil wording directed," "physical entry Dist. Eastern Mich., 407 297, 313 (1972), hard Framers sought protect Constitution. 30 officers' conduct perfectly reasonable.4 31 Instead trying answer arguably unreasonable, fashioned intended essential day "more systems" gain "ability 'see' barriers." 3. newly minted encompasses "obtaining [1] [2] [3] [4] use." 6-7 (internal quotation marks omitted). broad narrow, justified explanation adoption. suggested, erect impediment unless user searched. 32 Despite "not bright," 12, contours uncertain apparently dissipates soon relevant "in use," hinted doubtful assumption satisfy criterion.5 putting aside lack clarity, criterion perverse seems likely threat grow, recede, intrusive becomes readily available. 33 category technology" covered rule, far broad. would, embrace substitutes dogs trained react sniff narcotics. Place, 462 696, 707 (1983), dog "discloses narcotics" 'search' follow either. Nevertheless, unconstitutional odor deadly bacteria chemicals type high explosive, (like sniffs) "so limited which" content information" reveal. Ibid. sort monitor objectionable 34 unnecessarily else, emanates protection. moreover, sweeping "regarding" walls, lead (however many) inside. Under expansive suppose, silently carrying pizza now occupied likes pizza, doing conducting Because applies "interior" narrow Clearly, designed overly place-such office building-then ("[T]he people, places"). final "could omitted), extends noted, effectively treats mental process analyzing sources 4-5. explained, characterized 37 advanced justifications adoption unpersuasive. First, suggests compelled this, consisted domain. critical cases. attached conversation them intruders available area; presented heat-generating By contrast, disclosed house; leaving presumably discernible domain.6 Surely, well-settled strangers communications, theoretical occasional noticed other. pure hyperbole suggest refusing extend "technology home." 8. 38 Second, depend [taking] bath," noticing floor" "objects inches." assumes, perform "that 11-12. fact, floor, else larger inches. vague reproduced Appendix submitted him expert report raising "accurate, images" Defendant's Exhibit 107, p. 4. reliably something residence-a conclusion gifted Sherlock Holmes draw-does qualify 39 Although properly commendably concerned threats flow advances profession, unfortunately failed heed tried true counsel judicial restraint. concentrating mundane endeavored all-encompassing future. wiser give legislators unimpeded opportunity grapple emerging issues shackle prematurely devised constraints. 40 respectfully dissent. APPENDIX 41 (Images defendant's exhibit 107) 42 Top left: Infrared frame thermogram indicates appeared Gain contrast default setting. Only outline visible. 210. 43 Right: subsequent videoframe taken videotape. settings increased appear hotter is. 44 [Graphic Image omitted; printed opinion.] 45 Bottom image, increased. cause arrow overloading around electrical transformer streetlight. inherent design flaw itself. hearing, found: "[T]he No observed, activities. recorded 40. Amendment, absent warrant, garbage collection fenced-in backyard feet, partially greenhouse 400 feet above, several thousand 227 smoke chimney stacks, 861 credits "novel 9, reasoning. refute do underscores real (either logic law) make. Of Karo itself support illegality residence" outside," 714-715, flowed comports Courts resolved issue. 1999); Robinson, 62 1325 (CA11 1995) (upholding imager); Myers, 46 668 (CA7 (same); Ishmael, 48 850 (CA5 Pinson, 1056 (CA8 1994) (same). Cusumano, 67 1497 (CA10 (warrantless violated Amendment), vacated decided grounds, 83 1247 1996) (en banc). record describes close manufactured units; predecessor numbering neighborhood 4,000 5,000 competes 6,000 "readily public" personal, purposes, 800-number rented "half dozen national companies" anyone wants one. 18. Since, virtue impression, perhaps suffice establish "general latter given 741 registers unlike employed acquire communications."

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