Document: 519 U.S. 33117 S.Ct. 417136 L.Ed.2d 347 OHIO, Petitioner,v.Robert D. ROBINETTE. No. 95-891. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Oct. 8, 1996. Decided Nov. 18, Syllabus * After an Ohio deputy sheriff stopped respondent Robinette for speeding, gave him a verbal warning, and returned his driver's license, asked whether he was carrying illegal contraband, weapons, or drugs in car. answered ''no'' consented to search car, which revealed small amount marijuana pill. He arrested later charged with knowing possession controlled substance when pill turned out be methylenedioxy-methamphetamine. Following denial pretrial suppression motion, found guilty, but Appeals reversed on ground that resulted from unlawful detention. The State affirmed, establishing as bright-line prerequisite consensual interrogation under these circumstances requirement officer clearly state citizen validly detained traffic offense is ''legally free go.'' Held: 1. This has jurisdiction review Court's decision. contention lacking because decision rested part upon Constitution rejected Michigan v. Long, 463 1032, 1040-1041, 103 3469, 3476-3477, 77 1201. Although opinion below mentions passing, it relies federal law, discussing citing cases almost exclusively. It not dispositive those citations appear only official syllabus. Under Zacchini Scripps-Howard Broadcasting Co., 433 562, 566, 97 2849, 2852-2853, 53 965 , permissible turn opinion's body syllabus speaks general terms ''the Constitutions.'' Nor defeated by additional holding continuing detention person violation constitutes seizure officer's motivation related purpose original, constitutional stop there are no articulable facts giving rise suspicion some separate activity. Whren States, 517 ----, 116 1769, 135 89 subjective intentions do make continued illegal, so long justified circumstances, viewed objectively. Pp. ___-___. 2. Fourth Amendment does require lawfully seized defendant advised ''free go'' before consent will recognized voluntary. Amendment's touchstone reasonableness, measured objective examining totality circumstances. In applying this test, consistently eschewed rules, instead emphasizing fact-specific nature reasonableness inquiry. Indeed, rejecting per se rule very similar one adopted below, held voluntariness question fact determined all Schneckloth Bustamonte, 412 218, 248-249, 93 2041, 2058-2059, 36 854. erred otherwise. would unrealistic police always inform detainees they go may deemed Cf. id., at 231, S.Ct., 2049-2050. P. ___. 73 St.3d 650, 653 N.E.2d 695, reversed. REHNQUIST, C.J., delivered Court, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, SOUTER, THOMAS, BREYER, JJ., joined. GINSBURG, J., filed concurring judgment. STEVENS, dissenting opinion. Carley J. Ingram, Dayton, OH, petitioner. Irving L. Gornstein, Washington, DC, amicus curiae, special leave Court. James Ruppert, Franklin, respondent. Chief Justice REHNQUIST 1 We here presented requires must hold not. 2 case arose stretch Interstate 70 north Ohio, where posted speed limit 45 miles hour construction. Respondent Robert clocked 69 drove car along road, Deputy Roger Newsome Montgomery County Sheriff's office. handed Robinette's ran computer check indicated had previous violations. then step mounted video camera, issued warning Robinette, license. 3 At point, asked, ''One you get gone: [A]re any contraband your car? Any weapons kind, drugs, anything like that?'' App. Brief (internal quotation marks omitted). questions, after if could consented. discovered and, film container, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). substance, MDMA, Rev.Code Ann. § 2925.11(A) (1993). 4 Before trial, unsuccessfully sought suppress evidence. pleaded ''no contest,'' nd guilty. On appeal, reversed, ruling divided vote, affirmed. 695 (1995). its opinion, court established circumstances: 5 ''The right, guaranteed Constitutions, secure one's property citizens offenses informed detaining valid detention, attempts engage interrogation. attempt preceded phrase 'At time legally go' words import.'' Id., 650-651, N.E.2d, 696. 6 granted certiorari, 516 1040, 134 187 (1996), rule, we now reverse. 7 first consider have contends lack such Constitution, addition Federal Constitution. 1201 (1983), ''a fairly appears rest primarily interwoven adequacy independence possible law clear face accept most reasonable explanation decided way did believed required so.''* 3472. Article I, Section 14 passing (a section reads identically Amendment), nevertheless. discusses even cites cases, except itself applies 8 Our while, through syllabi cases.'' See Gallagher, 425 257, 259, 96 1438, 1439, 47 722 (1976). When syllabus, here, Constitutions,'' us discern grounds (1977). 9 also reach petition held, set (1): 10 ''When behind stop, based activity justifying extension seizure.'' St.3d, 11 reliance ground, own mind give ticket, became unlawful. 12 failed argument brief opposition certiorari. Rule 15.2. lieve issue legality ''predicate intelligent resolution'' presented, therefore ''fairly included therein.'' 14.1(a); Vance Terrazas, 444 252, 258-259, n. 5, 100 540, 544-545, 62 461 (1980). parties briefed issue, proceed decide it. 13 think our recent (1996) (decided present case), Amendment. As made Whren, '' 'the [an] hypothecated reasons provide legal justification action invalidate taken objectively, justify action.' . Subjective play role ordinary, probable-cause analysis.'' 1774 (quoting Scott 436 128, 138, 98 1717, 1723-1724, 56 168 (1978)). And that, light admitted probable cause objectively asking thoughts notwithstanding. Pennsylvania Mimms, 434 106, 111, 6, 330, 333, 54 331 (1977) (''We once motor vehicle been violation, officers order driver without violating proscription unreasonable searches seizures''). merits presented. ''touchstone reasonableness.'' Florida Jimeno, 500 248, 250, 111 1801, 1803, 114 297 (1991). Reasonableness, turn, 15 test Thus, Royer, 460 491, 1319, 75 229 expressly disavowed ''litmus-paper test'' single ''sentence paragraph rule,'' recognition ''endless variations circumstances'' implicating 506, 1329. Then, Chesternut, 486 567, 108 1975, 565 (1988), both urged ''bright-line rule[s] applicable investigatory pursuits,'' proposed rules contrary ''traditional contextual approach.'' 572-573, 1978-1979. again, Bostick, 501 429, 2382, 115 389 (1991), questioning aboard bus seizure, reiterating proper inquiry necessitates consideration ''all surrounding encounter.'' 439, 2389. 16 previously determining validity search. 854 (1973), argued unless knew right refuse request. argument: ''While knowledge factor into account, government need establish sine qua non effective consent.'' 227, 2048. just ''would thoroughly impractical impose normal consents earch detailed requirements warning,'' 2050, too 17 voluntary, ''[v]oluntariness circumstances,'' 2059. having otherwise, judgment remanded further proceedings inconsistent 18 ordered. 19 20 speeding interstate highway served prelude automobile drugs. experience uncommon Ohio. related, sheriff's who permission ''was drug interdiction patrol time.'' 651, 696 testified routinely requested automobiles Ibid. According deputy's testimony another prosecution, 786 stops 1992, year arrest. Retherford, App.3d 586, 594, 3, 639 498, 503, dism'd, 1488, 635 43 (1994). 21 From their unique vantage Ohio's courts observed were regularly searches, characterized consensual, reason suspect One appellate noted: ''[H]undreds, perhaps thousands being delayed travels relinquish uniformed privacy luggage, sometimes better than opportunity 'practice' technique.'' App.3d, 503 (footnote 22 Against background, determined, announced case, rights persons called protection clear-cut instruction State's officers: An wishing motorist conclusion tell she go. described first-tell-then-ask way: 23 transition between exchange can seamless untrained eye notice occurred 24 25 ''Most people believe custody continues interrogate them. retains upper hand accouterments authority. That lacks license continue detain them unknown citizens, feel walk away address him. 26 27 encounters should preserved, used routine fishing expedition unrelated criminal 14, I exist protect against interference liberty.'' 654-655, 698-699. 28 Today's reversing pass wisdom rule. simply clarifies not, controlling jurisprudence, command ante, __. invoked indicating standing alone, independently court's ambiguity renders exercise 1040-1042, consistent ''totality precedents, see concur 29 write separately, however, seems me improbable understood Constitution's mandate Nation whole. ''[A] matter greater restrictions holds necessary standards.'' Oregon Hass, 420 714, 719, 95 1215, 1219, 570 (1975).* But ordinarily, high procedure thereby signals view Nation's 50 States. Given decisions consent-to-search homed implication ordinarily drawn other words, thought strict governance conduct Miami County, Miami, Florida. 30 prophylactic measure much extracted text provision crafted reduce number violations textually rights. Miranda Arizona, 384 436, 86 1602, 694 (1966), similarly motivated minimal national suggesting precise measures forth. 467, 1624 (''[T]he [does not] necessarily requir[e] adherence particular solution'' problems associated custodial interrogations.); Elstad, 470 298, 306, 105 1285, 1291-1292, 84 222 (1985) (''The exclusionary sweeps more broadly Fifth itself.''). parts fall within domain, situated. declare governing officials cannot forces sister ease today disposes leg strengthens my impression saw designed reinforce seizures. 31 ambiguous. existence regarding federal- state-law basis trigger jurisdiction. Long governs when, things considered, plausible reading regard alone sufficient ruling. Compare Arizona Evans, 514 1185, 1189-1191, 131 34 (1995), 1198 (GINSBURG, dissenting). 32 incumbent court, therefore, determines laws call complete demands, about ultimate law. Similarly, announcing new arguably derived definitively render adequate independent simple declaration effect. A Montana scope individual's privilege self-incrimination includes declaration: 33 devoted considerable lengthy discussion application noted separately [the defendant's] remain silent pursuant II, Constitution.'' Fuller, 276 Mont. 155, 915 P.2d 809, 816, cert. denied, 117 301, --- ---- (1996). meets ''[i]f indicates alternatively bona fide separate, adequate, grounds, [this Court] undertake decision.'' U.S., 1041, 3476. 35 remand, choose clarify instructions law-enforcement find support issuing instructions, endeavored dispositively 1191-1193 To avoid misunderstanding, speak clarity officers. efficacy endeavor safeguard liberties Ohioans disarming tested Federalism work. See, e.g., Kaye, Courts Dawn New Century: Common Law Reading Statutes N.Y.U.L.Rev. 1, 11-18 (1995); Linde, First Things First: Rediscovering States' Bills Rights, U. Balt.L.Rev. 379, 392-396 dissenting. 37 narrow: agree holding. appropriate answering sole certiorari petition.1 read second intended guide future rather case. affirm correctly respondent's product Moreover, important emphasize nothing Constitution-or opinion-prevents requiring enforcement motorists advice mandated 38 relevant undisputed.2 Officer speeding. Neither nor prior believing ordering returning took violation. did, state: Thereafter, obtained 39 These two questions law: still ''one question'' so, Appellate questions. 40 relied Mendenhall, 446 544, 1870, 64 497 (1980),3 stated 'seized' meaning if, incident, leave.'' 554, 1877 (opinion Stewart, J.); 573, 1979, (1988) (noting ''[t]he since embraced test''). 435-36, 2386-2387, (1991) (applying variant approach). applied analysis. Pet. Cert. 17-18. 41 Several courts' shoes obligation answer officer, back drive away. ''before gone.'' addition, detained, received leave, front television camera response command, assumption reasonably duty respond. surely correct stating: him.'' 655, 698.4 42 fair presume drivers hurry destinations; interest prolonging delay occasioned idle conversation less allow potentially search.5 assume motorists-even contraband-have preserving vehicles possessions prying eyes curious stranger. successfully method obtaining roughly times year, 591-592, 502, (1994), generally respond manner self-interest. Repeated ordinary surrender satisfactorily explained hypothesis so. entirely preceding ''continued detention'' here. 696.6 reached conclusion. sought, held-after reviewing record-that position investigative concluded, go, ask questions.'' opinions, determinations criticized majority.7 disturb 44 lawful __-__. use word ''motivation'' why otherwise statement well points determine Because learned judges sitting aware proposition, construe generously replacing ambiguous term ''motivation behind'' ''justification for'' unambiguously So amended, proposition reads: [justification for] 46 Notwithstanding interdiction, depended Of course, ''[a]s matter, occurred.'' 1772, above, automobile, come end; given provided justifiable, all, grounds.8 Sharpe, 675, 682, 1568, 1573, 605 (1985); Brignoni-Ponce, 422 873, 881-882, 2574, 2580-2581, 607 (1975); Terry 392 21, 88 1868, 1879-1880, 889 (1968). inexorably follows completed task either arresting reprimanding constituted seizure. law.9 48 disposition well-settled during ineffective invalid search.10 433-434, 2385-2386, course results ''must suppressed tainted fruit''); Dunaway York, 442 200, 218-219, 99 2248, 2259-2260, 60 824 (1979); Brown Illinois, 590, 601-602, 2254, 2260-2261, 416 (1975). Wong Sun 371 471, 83 407, 441 (1963). illegality search.'' 507-508, 1329 (plurality opinion). below. II 49 point raised GINSBURG emphasis. Nevertheless risk narrowness fully prompts words. There precludes warnings help understand end, felt case.11 Nor, observed, ''in prohibits lawmaking power courts.'' Minnesota Clover Leaf Creamery 449 456, 479, 101 715, 732, 66 659 (1981) (dissenting far concerned, acts branch another, same enforce adopt executive action.12 51 while recognize benefits profession courts, public, function rules. Accordingly, concluded thus dissent am full accord neither mandates prescribed Whether practice followed lawmakers decide. prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Timber & Lumber 200 321, 337, 282, 287, L.Ed. 499. amici take depart Long. persuaded Terms ago, again reaffirm presumption. Formerly, ''reluctant extend civil citizens'' usually advantage opportunities ''us[e] source rights.'' Arnold Cleveland, 67 35, 42, 616 163, 168, Recently, declared: document force least interpretation Bill unrestricted according protections individuals groups.'' 164 (syllabus). ''Whether motorists, violations, subsequent consensual?'' i. crucial portions videotaped; recording record. 654, 698 commentator expressed agreement point. W. LaFave, Search Seizure 9.3(a), p. 112 (3d ed.1996 Supp.1997) (''Given [defendant] quite pulled over, return credentials hardly manifests change status immediately concerning activity''); ibid. (approving analysis case). ourselves past. Berkemer McCarty, 468 420, 104 3138, 3148, 82 317 (1984) (''Certainly few disobey directive pull over scene told might so''). Though particularly intrusive, American Civil Liberties Union et al. Amici Curiae 28-29. allowing open closed containers context ''consent container,'' 1804, ensures many wind up ''consenting'' broader imagined. 254-255, 1805-1806 (''only objection to'' seek ''is prevent exploiting ignorance anticipate authorize rummage packages'') (Marshall, precedes itself, states Cassidy Glossip, St.2d 17, 24, 231 64, 68 (1967); Migra Warren City School Dist. Bd. Ed., 465 75, 86, 892, 899, 79 (1984); meant apply cases. explained: ''We St.3d., 652, 697. Only ''also 500, 1325-1326, (1983) opinion) (''[A]n temporary last longer effectuate stop''); 881, 2580, (1975) (''stop 'reasonably initiation' '') 29, 1884, (1968)). Since ''this reviews judgments, opinions,'' Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 467 837, 842, 2778, 2781, 81 (1984), provides affirming Writing plurality White ''statements period inadmissible though voluntarily result act will.'' 501, 1326. Royer ''illegally 507, result, agreed ''that Concurring Brennan plurality's decision, diverging grounds. 509, 1330. Brennan's narrow principle represents Marks 430 188, 193, 990, 993-994, 260 437, 2387-2388, explicitly sought. And, stressed importance circumstance supporting 2047-2048, (1973); 558-559, Washington Chrisman, 455 9, 102 812, 818-819, 778 (1982) (consent voluntary ''consented, writing, absolute consent''). curiae Americans For Effective Enforcement, Inc.: ''Such good practice, indeed knows agencies among constituents incorporated forms field, precisely that-a imperative. request undoubtedly presents stronger finding hearing, suggest know, too, instructors training programs leading universities management institutes recommend sound likely bolster [We ourselves] conduct[ ] level speakers point.'' Amicus 7.

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