Document: 466 U.S. 740 104 S.Ct. 2091 80 L.Ed.2d 732 Edward G. WELSH, Petitionerv.WISCONSIN. No. 82-5466. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Oct. 5, 1983. Decided May 15, 1984. Syllabus On night April 24, 1978, a witness observed car that was being driven erratically and eventually swerved off road, coming to stop in field without causing damage any person or property. Ignoring witness' suggestion he wait for assistance removing his car, driver walked away from scene. The police arrived few minutes later were told by either very inebriated sick. After checking car's registration, police, obtaining warrant, proceeded petitioner's nearby home, arriving at about 9 p.m. They gained entry when stepdaughter answered door, found petitioner lying naked bed. Petitioner then arrested driving motor vehicle while under influence an intoxicant violation Wisconsin statute which provided first offense noncriminal subject civil forfeiture proceeding maximum fine $200. taken station, where refused submit breath-analysis test. Pursuant statutes, subjected arrestee who take test risk 60-day revocation privileges, requested court hearing determine whether refusal reasonable. Under law, breath reasonable if underlying arrest not lawful. trial court, ultimately concluding lawful therefore unreasonable, issued order suspending license. Appeals vacated order, warrantless home violated Fourth Amendment because State, although demonstrating probable cause arrest, had established existence exigent circumstances. reversed. Held: warrantless, nighttime him civil, nonjailable traffic offense, prohibited special protection afforded individual Amendment. Pp. 748-754. (a) Before government agents may invade sanctity must demonstrate circumstances overcome presumption unreasonableness attaches all entries. An important factor be considered determining exigency exists is gravity made. Moreover, no created simply there believe serious crime has been committed, application exigent-circumstances exception context should rarely sanctioned only minor committed. 748-753. (b) Petitioner's privacy own bedroom non-criminal cannot justified on basis "hot pursuit" doctrine, immediate continuous pursuit scene crime, threat public safety, already abandoned accident. Nor can as necessary preserve evidence blood-alcohol level. Even assuming facts would support finding this circumstance, given fact State chosen classify intoxicated noncriminal, imprisonment possible, upheld level might have dissipated obtained warrant. 753-754. v. Welsh, 108 Wis.2d 319, 321 N.W.2d 245, remanded. Gordon B. Baldwin, Madison, Wis., petitioner. Stephen W. Kleinmaier, Asst. Atty. Gen., respondent. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion Court. 1 Payton New York, 445 573, 100 1371, 63 639 (1980), held that, absent circumstances, arrests are But case explicitly "to consider sort emergency dangerous situation, described our cases 'exigent circumstances,' justify into purpose search." Id., 583, 1378. Certiorari granted decide least one aspect unresolved question: whether, so what prohibits making person's offense. 2 * A. 3 Shortly before o'clock rainy lone witness, Randy Jablonic, erratically. changing speeds veering side side, road came open field. No property occurred. Concerned fearing get back highway, Jablonic drove truck up behind block it returning road. Another passerby also stopped scene, asked her call police. arrived, however, emerged vehicle, approached Jablonic's truck, ride home. instead suggested they repairing car. suggestion, 4 A later, questioned Jablonic. He officer seen, specifically noting checked registration learned registered petitioner, Welsh. In addition, noted residence short distance easily within walking distance. 5 Without securing type When house.1 Proceeding upstairs bedroom, At point, placed operating intoxicant, Wis.Stat. § 346.63(1) (1977).2 B 6 As result these events, two separate but related proceedings: concerning other involving alleged code intoxicated. Vehicle Code effect could law enforcement provide breath, blood, urine samples presence quantity alcohol. 343.305(1) (1975). If such request made, required appropriate testing privileges. Cf. South Dakota Neville, 459 553, 103 916, 74 748 (1983) (admission defendant's does offend constitutional right against self-incrimination). challenge officer's request, refusing undergo asking justified. If, after hearing, determined justified, arrestee's privileges revoked 60 days.3 7 set forth specific criteria applied Included among requirement revoking "the . unreasonable." 343.305(2)(b)(5) It disputed parties reasonable, revoked, Indeed, state consistently valid prerequisite imposition See Scales 64 485, 494, 219 286, 292 (1974).4 Although 1978 referred reasonableness, current version 343.305 recognizes issues raise "whether [he] lawfully s.346.63(1)." §§ 343.305(3)(b)(5)(a), (8)(b) (1981-1982). 67 Op.Wis.Atty.Gen. 93-78 (1978) ("statutory scheme contemplates made prior submission test").5 8 Separate statutory provisions control penalty imposed substantive time question, $200; second subsequent previous five years potential misdemeanor punished year $500. 346.65(2) Since time, amendments provisions. continues categorize allows monetary more than $300. 346.65(2)(a) (Supp.1983-1984). Albright, 98 663, 672-673, 298 196, 202 (App.1980). C noted, test; subsequently filed timely hearing. held, criminal complaint intoxicated.6 responded filing motion dismiss complaint, relying contention invalid. receiving July 1980, concluded dismissed both arrest. decision until September preordained. fact, primary issue hearing—whether acted reasonably unlawfully see supra, 744-746—had months earlier same court. 10 expected, unreasonable.7 Accordingly, license days. appeal, suspension Appeals. 102 727, 308 772 (1981). Contrary appellate reasonable.8 turn reversed Appeals, three factors believed constituted circumstances: need suspect, prevent physical harm offender public, destruction evidence. 336-338, 254-255 (1982). Because implications below, we certiorari. 1200, 1182, 75 430 (1983).9 II 11 axiomatic "physical chief evil wording directed." District Court, 407 297, 313, 92 2125, 2134, 32 752 (1972). And principal unnecessary intrusions private dwellings warrant seek enter purposes search Johnson States, 333 10, 13-14, 68 367, 368-369, L.Ed. 436 (1948).10 surprising, therefore, recognized, "a 'basic principle law[,]' searches seizures inside presumptively U.S., 586, S.Ct., 1380. Coolidge Hampshire, 403 443, 474-475, 91 2022, 2042-2043, 29 564 (1971) ("a seizure carried out suspect's premises per se unless show circumstances' "). Michigan Clifford, 464 287, 296-297, 641, 646, 78 477 (1984) (plurality opinion); Steagald 451 204, 211-212, 101 1642, 1647-1648, 38 (1981); McDonald 335 451, 456, 69 191, 193, 93 153 (1948); 13-15, 368-370; Boyd 116 616, 630, 524, 532, 746 (1886). 12 Consistently with long-recognized principles, decided felony Amendment, 583-590, 1378-1382. declined scope arrests, id., 1378, thereby leaving lower courts initial exception.11 Prior decisions emphasized exceptions "few number carefully delineated," 318, 2137, bear heavy burden attempting urgent arrests. recognized conditions, see, e.g., Santana, 427 38, 42-43, 96 2406, 2409-2410, 49 300 (1976) (hot fleeing felon); Warden Hayden, 387 294, 298-299, 87 1645-1646, 18 782 (1967) (same); Schmerber California, 384 757, 770-771, 86 1826, 1835-1836, 16 908 (1966) (destruction evidence); Tyler, 499, 509, 1942, 1949, 56 486 (ongoing fire), actually doctrine supra. 13 Our hesitation especially issue, particularly relatively minor. government's interest offense,12 difficult rebut, usually allowed make upon neutral detached magistrate. 14 This novel idea. Writing concurrence (1948), Jackson explained why severely restricted committed: "Even conclude forced present case. method displays shocking lack sense proportion. Whether necessity waiting obtain certainly depends somewhat thought progress well hazards reach it. me proposition homes, even quarters tenement, indiscriminately invaded discretion suspicious engaged following offenses involve violence threats While I human enough apply letter some indulgence officers acting deal crimes endanger life security, notable unlawful dealt category crime. enterprise parting fools their money 'numbers' lottery ought suppressed, do think its suppression society security people unreasonable seizures. undertakes act magistrate, position pointing real consequences postponed action warrant." 459-460, 195-196 (footnote omitted). 15 approach, looked nature calculus. leading federal defining example, en banc Columbia Circuit weighed. Dorman 140 U.S.App.D.C. 320, 435 F.2d 385, 392 (1970).13 approving included standard adopted sufficient note many part analysis. For permitted major felonies identifiable exigencies, independent existed Compare Campbell, 581 22 (CA2 1978) (allowing armed robbery existed), Commonwealth Williams, 483 Pa. 293, 396 A.2d 1177 (disallowing murder due absence circumstances). those addressing most permit nonfelonious crimes. See, Guertin, 190 Conn. 440, 453, 461 963, 970 ("The [exigent-circumstances] narrowly drawn cover contrived emergencies. limited investigation crimes; misdemeanors excluded"); People Strelow, Mich.App. 182, 190-193, 517, 521-522 (1980). Sanders, 59 Ill.App.3d 6, Ill.Dec. 437, 374 N.E.2d 1315 (burglary weapons grave purpose); Bennett, 295 (S.D.1980) (distribution controlled substances purposes). cf. Penas, 200 Neb. 387, 263 835 hot commission presence; Payton); Niedermeyer, 48 Ore.App. 665, 617 P.2d 911 (1980) presence). approach surprising. necessarily particular holdings considering every possible factual conceive extremely 17 We common-sense utilized prohibition "unreasonable seizures," hold Payton, kind case, Application straightforward. attempts hot-pursuit claim unconvincing accident, little remaining safety. Hence, claimed ascertain assuming, mere similarity imminent sufficient. possible. (1975); (Supp.1983-1984); 746. best indication State's precipitating identified faced n. Given expression interest, warrant.14 To allow approve behavior principles will sanction. III 19 let stand Such clearly invalid, judgment vacated, remanded further proceedings inconsistent opinion.15 20 ordered. 21 THE CHIEF JUSTICE writ having improvidently defer resolution question presented BLACKMUN, concurring. 23 join Court's add personal observation. 24 yield my profound concern unwillingness national consciousness face to—and something about—the continuing slaughter Nation's highways, good percentage drivers drunk semi-incapacitated alcohol drug ingestion. spoken Reports point before. Perez 402 637, 657, 672, 1704, 1715 1722, 233 (opinion concurring dissenting part); Tate Short, 401 395, 401, 668, 28 130 (concurring opinion). 555-559, 918-920, (1983). 25 amazing great States—one which, highway signs, proclaims diligent emphatic prosecution drunken driver—still classifies $300 long like indulgent parent, hesitates discipline spoiled child much, though engaging others abiding helpless child's act. ante, 754, (citing statutes). convenience still weighs heavily balance, deaths injuries continue. choose legislation thus regulate structure, is, unfortunately, nothing Constitution says so. 26 WHITE, whom REHNQUIST joins, dissenting. 27 common peace committed onot ground arrest." Watson, 423 411, 418, 820, 825, 46 598 (1976). occurred grounded Street Surdyka, 492 368, 371-372 (CA4 1974); LaFave, Search Seizure 5.1 (1978), never constitutionally nonfelony occurring presence. Thus, "it generally today authority enlarged statute, done states." E. Fisher, Laws Arrest (1967); ALI, Model Pre-Arraignment Procedure, Appendix X C. Alexander, Law 445-447 (1949); Wilgus, Warrant, Mich.L.Rev. 541, 673, 706 (1924). expanded common-law offenses. Stat. 345.22 (Supp.1983-1984) provides "[a] regulation grounds violating regulation." Relying authority, Madison Police Department Welsh (1977), proscribes operation blood test, operator's days reason pursuant proceeding, argued house unconstitutional Fourteenth Amendments Federal used him. based using contravene rather rested (1975) interpreted require legal tested revocation. 30 review revocation, appears Welsh's wrongfully Constitution. 245 (1974). acknowledged individual's fundamental freedom" clear bore establishing justifying in-home Wis.2d, 327, N.W.2d, 250. discerned strong combating alcohol, 334-335, 253-254, proper (1) defendant seeking avoid chemical sobriety (2) posed safety; (3) "[w]ithout highly reliable persuasive facilitating state's proof [Welsh's] destroyed." 338, 255. reasons, overturn Wisconsin. 31 First, resolved this. argues vigorously rights, relied exclusionary rule, contend remedy seeks. general "reviews judgments, statements opinions." Black Cutter Laboratories, 351 292, 76 824, 827, 1188 (1956). purport requires conclusion how offends law. true scheme, otherwise unlawful. What done, attach itself attach. occasionally jurisdiction over remedies violations federally defined obligations. E.g., Moore Chesapeake & Ohio R. Co., 291 205, 54 402, 755 (1934). contexts employed policies. Greene, Hybrid Courts, 83 Harv.L.Rev. 289, (1969). course applies conduct here. providing refuse arrested, Wisconsin's Legislature pursuing apparently hope reduce illegality safeguard citizens' rights. entitled draw implement matter am doubtful policies exclusion fruits illegal remove highways insists violate policy revoke illegal—there satisfactory us affirming mistakenly me, ample disturb judgment. 33 event, properly construed follows continue erred requiring 603, 1388 (WHITE, J., dissenting), reject obvious logical implication decision. commend looks calculus." Ante, 751. 34 concede, delay attends warrant-issuance process persons. seriousness suspect charged bears likelihood flee escape apprehension immediately. if, involved procuring gravely persons escape, perceive disregard exigencies sought "minor" one. 35 practical matter, holding likely greater impact removal threatened documents participation preclude understand 36 intrusive connection felony. variable factor, one, governmental served entry. here promote substantial interests. challenged bound determinations. suggests variety social, cultural, political reasons designed always impermissible. anything, opposite conclusion. Camara Municipal 523, 539-540, 1727, 1736, 1737, 930 454-455, 192-193, (1948). (1978); cert. denied, 450 1042, 1761, 239 37 turns perceived significantly hamper pointless litigation gradation various relies Jackson's minimizing there, illustrates evaluation confined misdemeanors. extent implies deciding constitutes circumstance misguided. typically less-than-optimal circumstances; neither nor competence authorized problem lessened creating bright-line distinction between crimes, wisely view—does adopt approach. There line marked sufficiently includes desirability drawing. Procedures 131-132 (Prelim. Draft 1, 1965) (discussing rejected provision abandoning "in-presence" arrests). correct asserting untenable constitute certain necessitate case-by-case task poorly equipped. 39 assessing civil-forfeiture arresting observes, force incarceration. Nevertheless, compelling 558-559, 919-920, (1983), suggesting growing apprehending convicting deterring alcohol-related offenses, recent actions evince "belief significant benefits, reduction costs attributable driving, achieved increased conviction offenders." Note, 1983 Wis.L.Rev. 1023, 1053. 40 ignores solely penalties offenders 754. prescribed sanctions valuable objective normative Baldwin 399 66, 68, 90 1886, 1887, 437 (1970) opinion), available ignored. Craner, 652 23, 24-27 (CA9 1981); Woods, F.Supp. 1335, 1340 (Md.1978); Brady Blair, (SD 1976). regards evinced defendants guaranteed jury trial, 345.43 (1981-1982); legislative authorization outside presence, collateral consequence mandatory convictions influence, 343.30(1q) Colts, 282 63, 51 52, 177 (1930); moreover, legislature consciously chose limit increase ease overall deterrent effort. Comment, Me.L.Rev. 35, 399-400, 41 short, punish prison term demand punishing insufficiently observed, "[t]his model urgency violation." previously begins diminish shortly drinking stops, body functions eliminate system." 770, 1835, (1966). cast doubt validity consuming additional light promptness reached house, ongoing laws also, Ritchie, Cal.App.3d 455, 181 Cal.Rptr. 773 (1982); Smith, 175 Colo. 212, (1971); Findlay, 259 Iowa 733, 145 650 (1966); Amaniera, 132 N.J.Super. 597, 334 398 (1974); Osburn, 92, 508 837 (1973). 42 respectfully dissent. consent deemed reversing court's full consideration issue. (App.1981). That remand occurred, reinstated decision, assume 346.63 amended drive operate evidencing blood- breath-alcohol levels. 346.63(1)(a), amendment, bearing raised amended, procedures followed remained essentially unchanged, 343.305(3), (8), length increased, depending record, 343.305(9)(a), (b). improperly refuses comply assessment safety plan, 343.305(9)(c)-(e). These amendments, direct "The implied sample incident emphasized, it, precede taking sample. (emphasis added). standards follows: sixty breathalyzer [state statute]. challenges Article I, section [trial court] coupled officers' residence. [T]he appeals Amendments, regarding consensual necessitated remanding affirm findings court], co-existence justifies "To prevail prove supporting ruling Entry limitations Constitutions. Const. amend. IV; Wis. art. sec. 11." 320-321, 326-327, 246-247, 249-250 added) (citations footnotes inadmissible unlawful, implicate rule citation years. charge, conducting did know ever with, much less convicted of, assumed, investigating applicable Beck Ohio, 379 89, 91, 96, 85 223, 225, 228, 142 (1964). bench judge indicated: "[T]he And, [counsel petitioner] appeal charge." App. 111. 112-113. entered consent. differed respective conclusions each known establish parallel 746-747, resulted During early 1982, introduced His conviction, now stayed pending Brief 17, 5. Johnson, eloquently search: often grasped zealous officers, denies usual inferences men Its consists magistrate judged competitive ferreting thrust themselves concern, chooses dwell freedom surveillance. judicial officer, policeman agent." 369 allowing showing expressly 574, 602, 1374, 1388. entry, occasion impose absolute ban dissenters believing importance limitation 616-617, 1395-1396 joined BURGER, C.J., REHNQUIST, dissenting) guards abusive arbitrary ensures invasions occur crimes"). Donnino Girese, Exigent Circumstances Warrantless Home Arrest, 45 Albany L.Rev. (1980); Harbaugh Faust, "Knock Any Door"—Home Arrests Steagald, Dick.L.Rev. 220-233 Arrests, Ariz.L.Rev. 1171 mean suggest prevention States. Wisconsin, along several Minn.Stat. 169.121 subd. Neb.Rev.Stat. 39-669.07(1) (Supp.1983); S.D.Codified 32-23-2 (Supp.1983), classification differs widely seems clearest consistent individuals suspected committing remand, validly

Category: 0