Document: 486 U.S. 35 108 S.Ct. 1625 100 L.Ed.2d 30 CALIFORNIA, Petitionerv.Billy GREENWOOD and Dyanne Van Houten. No. 86-684. Argued Jan. 11, 1988. Decided May 16, Syllabus Acting on information indicating that respondent Greenwood might be engaged in narcotics trafficking, police twice obtained from his regular trash collector garbage bags left the curb front of house. On basis items which were indicative use, warrants to search house, discovered controlled substances during searches, arrested respondents felony charges. Finding probable cause house would not have existed without evidence State Superior Court dismissed charges under People v. Krivda, 5 Cal.3d 357, 96 Cal.Rptr. 62, P.2d 1262, held warrantless searches violate Fourth Amendment California Constitution. Although noting a post-Krivda state constitutional amendment eliminating exclusionary rule for seized violation state, but federal, law, Appeal affirmed ground Krivda was based as well law. Held: 1. The does prohibit seizure collection outside curtilage home. Pp. 39-44. (a) Since voluntarily their an area particularly suited public inspection, claimed expectation privacy inculpatory they discarded objectively reasonable. It is common knowledge plastic along street are readily accessible animals, children, scavengers, snoops, other members public. Moreover, placed refuse at express purpose conveying it third party, collector, who himself sorted through or permitted others, such police, do so. cannot reasonably expected avert eyes criminal activity could been observed by any member 39-43. (b) Greenwood's alternative argument should deemed reasonable matter federal law because impermissible he contends survived amendment, merit. reasonableness purposes depend upon concepts embodied particular occurred; rather, turns understanding society whole certain areas deserve most scrupulous protection government invasion. There no with respect side street. 43-44. 2. Also merit contention violates Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment. Just this Court's decisions required suppression where benefits deterring minor misconduct overbalanced societal costs exclusion, foreclosed concluding excluding relevant outweigh when conduct issue 44—45. 182 Cal.App.3d 729, 227 539 (1986), reversed remanded. WHITE, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., BLACKMUN, STEVENS, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, JJ., joined. BRENNAN, filed dissenting opinion, MARSHALL, joined, post, p. ----. KENNEDY, took part consideration decision case. Michael J. Pear, Santa Ana, Cal., petitioner. Ian Garey, respondents. Justice WHITE Court. 1 here whether prohibits We conclude, accordance vast majority lower courts addressed issue, not. 2 * In early 1984, Investigator Jenny Stracner Laguna Beach Police Department received trafficking. learned suspect had informed drug enforcement agent February 1984 truck filled illegal drugs en route address resided. addition, neighbor complained heavy vehicular traffic late night single-family reported vehicles remained only few minutes. 3 sought investigate conducting surveillance She several make brief stops late-night morning hours, she followed residence previously investigation narcotics-trafficking location. 4 April 6, asked neighborhood's pick up turn over her mixing contents houses. cleaned bin refuse, collected turned Stracner. officer searched rubbish found use. recited gleaned affidavit support warrant officers encountered both later day arrived execute warrant. quantities cocaine hashish Respondents They subsequently posted bail. 6 continued receive reports many visitors 4, Robert Rahaeuser same manner again contained 7 secured another home second search. more trafficking executed arrested. 8 against authority 1262 (1971), court searches. 9 affirmed. (1986). noted outset fruits longer suppressed if Constitution, since 1982 has barred See Cal. Const., Art. I, § 28(d); re Lance W., 37 873, 210 631, 694 744 (1985). But binding Appeal, also excluded Hence, correct dismissing Cal.App.3d, 735, 542.1 10 Supreme denied State's petition review Appeal's decision. granted certiorari, 483 1019, 107 3260, 97 760 now reverse. II 11 manifested subjective accepts O'Connor Ortega, 480 709, 715, 1492, 1496, 94 714 (1987); Ciraolo, 476 207, 211, 106 1809, 1811, 90 (1986); Oliver United States, 466 170, 177, 104 1735, 1740, 80 214 (1984); Katz 389 347, 361, 88 507, 516, 19 576 (1967) (Harlan, concurring). disagree standard. 12 assert, however, had, exhibited, police: trash, fixed time, opaque bags, up, mingle deposit dump. temporarily street, there little likelihood inspected anyone. 13 may did expect become known An give rise protection, unless prepared accept 14 Here, we conclude exposed sufficiently defeat claim protection. animals,2 scavengers,3 snoops,4 supra, Cal.3d, 367, Cal.Rptr., 69, P.2d, 1269. respondents' Accordingly, having deposited "in inspection and, speaking, consumption, strangers take it," States Reicherter, 647 F.2d 397, 399 (CA3 1981), discarded. 15 Furthermore, held, "[w]hat person knowingly exposes public, even own office, subject protection." 351, S.Ct., 511. Smith Maryland, 442 99 2577, 61 220 (1979), example, causing pen register installed telephone company's offices record numbers dialed suspect. individual legitimate telephone, reasoned, conveys those company uses telephone. Again, "a parties." Id., 743-744, 2582. 16 Similarly, obtain before respondent's fenced backyard private plane flying altitude 1,000 feet. concluded yard protected unreasonable "[a]ny airspace glanced down seen everything these observed." U.S., 213-214, 1813. 17 Our conclusion reinforced unanimous rejection similar claims Federal Courts Appeals. Dela Espriella, 781 1432, 1437 (CA9 1986); O'Bryant, 775 1528, 1533-1534 (CA11 1985); Michaels, 726 1307, 1312-1313 (CA8), cert. denied, 469 820, 105 92, 83 38 Kramer, 711 789, 791-794 (CA7), 464 962, 78 339 (1983); Terry, 702 299, 308-309 (CA2), sub nom. Williams 461 931, 103 2095, 77 304 399; Vahalik, 606 99, 100-101 (CA5 1979) (per curiam), 444 1081, 1034, 62 765 (1980); Crowell, 586 1020, 1025 (CA4 1978), 440 959, 1500, 59 772 (1979); Magda Benson, 536 111, 112-113 (CA6 1976) curiam); Mustone, 970, 972-974 (CA1 1972). Thornton, 241 U.S.App.D.C. 46, 56, n. 746 39, 49, (1984), "the overwhelming weight rejects proposition exists curtilege [sic ] thereof." appellate considered seizures areas. Commonwealth Chappee, 397 Mass. 508, 512-513, 492 N.E.2d 719, 721-722 Cooks State, 699 653, 656 (Okla.Crim.), 474 935, 268, 275 (1985); Stevens, 123 Wis.2d 303, 314-317, 367 N.W.2d 788, 794-797, 852, 151, 125 Ronngren, 361 224, 228-230 (N.D.1985); Brown, 20 Ohio App.3d 36, 37-38, 484 215, 217-218 Oquist, 327 587 (Minn.1982); Whotte, 113 Mich.App. 12, 317 266 (1982); Minton, 288 Pa.Super. 381, 391, 432 A.2d 212, 217 (1981); Schultz, 388 So.2d 1326 (Fla.App.1980); Huddleston, Ill.App.3d 277, 347 76 (1976); Willis 518 S.W.2d 247, 249 (Tex.Crim.App.1975); 510 793 (Alaska), 414 1086, 603, 489 (1973); Fassler, Ariz. 586, 592-593, 503 807, 813-814 (1972); Croker 477 122, 125-126 (Wyo.1970); Purvis, Ore. 404, 411, 438 1002, 1005 (1968). see Tanaka, 67 Haw. 658, 701 1274 (1971).5 III 18 reject affirmance: He urges state-law right Californians garbage, announced subsequent remedy means enforcing right. 886-887, 639-640, 752-753. argues itself vindicate Individual surely construe constitutions imposing stringent constraints than never intimated, within meaning depends occurs. emphasized instead analysis must factors "our invasion." 178, 1741 (emphasis added). Rakas Illinois, 439 128, 143-144, 421, 430-431, 58 387 (1978). already possesses regard Respondent's less suggestion laws each determine reach submission. IV finally additional affirmance view, recognized free deprive its citizens what describes effective deterrent" violations concedes direct position can relies cases holding individuals entitled procedural protections deprived liberty property interest created Hewitt Helms, 459 460, 864, 74 675 Vitek Jones, 445 480, 1254, 63 552 (1980). 21 position. amend Constitution negate forbids trash. convinced likewise eliminate At level, all circumstances. See, e.g., Leon, 468 897, 3405, 82 677 Janis, 428 433, 3021, 49 1046 Calandra, 338, 613, 561 (1974). Rather, our concerning scope balanced reliable activity. 908-913, 3412-3415. declined apply indiscriminately "when acted objective good faith transgressions minor," magnitude benefit conferred . guilty defendants [in circumstances] offends basic justice system." 908, 3412 (citing Stone Powell, 465, 490, 3037, 3050, 1067 (1976)). 22 using balancing approach delineate rules. people permissibly V 23 judgment therefore reversed, case remanded further proceedings inconsistent opinion. 24 so ordered. 25 KENNEDY 26 whom MARSHALL joins, dissenting. 27 Every week two months, least once month later, clawed opaque, sealed Record 113. Complete minutely scrutinized bounty, undoubtedly dredging intimate details life habits. intrusions proceeded warrant, believe 28 Scrutiny another's contrary commonly accepted notions civilized behavior. I suspect, therefore, will shocked learn ultimate guarantor liberty, deems aspects lives concealed safely bag 29 "A container searched, cause, warrant." Jacobsen, 109, 120, 17, 1652, 1660, 85 (1984) (citations omitted). Thus, observes, remain private, violated Ante, Framers understood "unreasonable searches" "paper[s] effects"—no "person[s] houses"—infringe privacy. As 1878, acknowledged "[l]etters packages mail fully guarded examination retained parties forwarding them domiciles." Ex parte Jackson, (6 Otto) 727, 733, L.Ed. 877. short, long package "closed inspection," protects contents, "wherever be," just "as papers subjected one's household." Ibid. Accord, Leeuwen, 249, 1029, 282 (1970). 31 With emergence reasonable-expectation-of-privacy analysis, concurring); 740, 2580, reaffirmed fundamental principle. Robbins California, 453 420, 101 2841, 69 (1981), Stewart, writing plurality four, pronounced "unless said plain Amendment," id., 427, 2846, soundly rejected distinction among various containers: 32 "[E]ven one wished import into Amendment, difficult impossible perceive criteria task accomplished. What put suitcase, paper bag. And court, constable, citizen, sensibly distinguish relative 'privacy interests' closed briefcase, portfolio, duffelbag, box." 426-427, 2846. 33 428, 2847 (expectation attaches "so clearly announce[s] distinctive configuration, transparency, otherwise, obvious observer"). exception, every wrote eschewed attempt "worthy" "unworthy" containers.1 34 More recently, Ross, 456 798, 102 2157, 72 572 (1982), relying "virtually agreement between 'worthy' 'unworthy' containers improper," "paper locked trunks, lunch buckets, orange crates" central [A] traveler carries toothbrush articles clothing knotted scarf [may] equal conceal possessions official sophisticated executive attache 36 "As Stewart stated Robbins, provides owner conceals view." 822-823, 2171-2172 added; footnote citation 129, 1664 (opinion J.). 200-pound "double-locked footlocker," Chadwick, 433 1, 2476, 2483, 53 538 (1977); "comparatively small, unlocked suitcase," Arkansas Sanders, 753, 762, 9, 2586, 2592, 235 "totebag," 422, 2844; "packages wrapped green plastic," ibid. 801, 2160, (suggesting " 'lunch-type' brown bag" "zippered red leather pouch" automobile); 114-115, 1655, 1656-1657 "ordinary cardboard box paper" party opened it). 39 precedent, leaves room doubt carrying personal effects bags—identical ones curb—their intrusion. So far concerned, bit worthy plastic" footlocker[s]." Cf. 441, 2854 (REHNQUIST, dissenting) (objecting discovery "two bags"). 40 used discard rather transport effects. Their inherently them, did, diminish privacy.2 41 A bag, like above-mentioned containers, "is repository effects" "therefore inevitably associated privacy." 2592 13, 2484). "[A]lmost human ultimately manifests waste products. ." 793, 798 (1973). Rooney, 307, 320-321, 3, 2852, 2859, 258 (1987) (WHITE, (renowned archaeologist Emil Haury said, "[i]f you want know really going community, look garbage") (quoted W. Rathje, Archaeological Ethnography Because Sometimes Is Better Give Than Receive, Explorations Ethnoarchaeology 54 (R. Gould ed. 1978)); Weberman, Art Garbage Analysis: You Are Throw Away, Esquire (1971) (analyzing celebrities drawing conclusions about lives). single testifies eloquently eating, reading, recreational habits produced it. bedroom, relate sexual practices, health, hygiene. Like rifling desk drawers intercepting phone calls, rummaging divulge target's financial professional status, political affiliations inclinations, thoughts, relationships, romantic interests. doubted harbors telling "intimate 'sanctity man's privacies life,' designed protect. 180, 1742, (quoting Boyd 116 616, 630, 524, 532, (1886)). Dunn, 294, 300, 1134, 1139, 326 (1987). 42 properly theory abandoned author last Term, defendant's "property trash] settle purposes, determined law." 320, 2858 dissenting). evaluating invaded, "understandings society."3 Most us, believe, incensed discover meddler—whether neighbor, reporter, detective—scrutinizing some detail lives. 1326, 1331 (Fla.App.1980) (Anstead, That was, quite naturally, reaction sole incident bases "snoops" 40, 4. When tabloid reporter examined then-Secretary Henry Kissinger's published findings, Kissinger "really revolted" intrusion wife suffered "grave anguish." N.Y. Times, July 1975, A1, col. 8. response roundly condemning demonstrates reactions reasonable, shared well. Commentators variously characterized disgusting invasion privacy," Flieger, Investigative Trash, News & World Report, 28, (editor's page); "indefensible behavior," Washington Post, 10, A18, (editorial); way decent behave relation other," 43 Beyond generalized privacy, municipalities, reasons sanitation, both, reinforce confidence integrity "prohibit[ing] anyone, except authorized employees Town ., rummage into, collect, move otherwise interfere materials collection." Dzialak, 441 215 (CA2 1971) (paraphrasing ordinance town Cheektowaga, New York). curiam ); 112 175 634, 645, 221 56 (1985), dism'd, 366, 68, 1268 vacated remanded, 409 33, 93 32, 45 38, 218, (1984). fact, interpreted highest guarantees vis-a-vis officials. supra (recognizing right); 744, 752-753 (1985) (later abolished intact substance right). 44 deny isolated occur. When, acting own, "animals, [or] public," ante, (footnotes omitted), actually expose "police 41. much follows 117, 1658, added), constitutionally inspect whose "integrity" carrier "compromised," "[t]he implicated authorities use frustrated"; 1813, (1986) observing seen." Had flaunted strewing see, nongovernmental intruder invaded done same, unreasonable. searching city dump run across incriminating that, despite commingling still identity Greenwood's, different "exposed exteriors containers. Until hid public's view Chadwick's double-locked footlocker Robbins' green, wrapping. Faithful application requirement require "avert public." requires adhere norms plainly acknowledge. 46 mere possibility unwelcome meddlers open burglary negates home; unopened package; operator listen conversation words spoken "What seeks preserve protected." Katz, 351-352, repeatedly attempts justify absolute. Chapman 365 610, 616-617, 81 776, 779-780, 828 (1961) (search tenant's rights though landlord enter purposes); Stoner 376 483, 487-490, 84 889, 891-893, 856 (1964) (implicit consent janitorial personnel motel amount room); Oretega, 717, 1497, (a employee "it nature others—such fellow employees, supervisors, consensual visitors, general public—may frequent access individual's office"). SCALIA aptly it, "privacy solitude." O'Connor, 730, 1504 concurring judgment). 47 Nor dispositive "respondents so." 40. first place, hardly faulted leaving county commanded him so, Orange County Code 4-3-45(a) (must "remov[e] premises week" "solid created, accumulated [his] dwelling house"), prohibited disposing way, 3-3-85 (1988) (burning unlawful). Unlike circumstances compromised, "avoid exposing belongings simply home." 725, 1502. importantly, voluntary relinquishment possession control effect necessarily Were letter lose mailbox depository "express purpose" entrusting postal carrier; bailees likely collectors (and certainly greater incentive) "sor[t] through" entrusted "or permi[t] Yet, clear 110 years instance. 877 (1878); (1970); (1984).4 48 consistent paints grim picture society. depicts local command dispose protective "sanctity [the] life," then monitor arbitrarily judicial oversight—a recognize disposed commingle imminently inextricably others. 39. American am familiar "chooses dwell security freedom surveillance," Johnson 333 14, 68 369, 92 436 (1948), dedicated sensitive sanctity willing dissent. Houten standing seek 542-543. For 224 (N.D.1985), involved dog, "at behest one," 228, dragged defendants' neighbor. can, North Dakota rights. homeless Nation's cities others' refuse. nationally syndicated consumer columnist suggested apartment dwellers cents-off coupons "mak[ing] friends handles trash" buildings, recounted tale 'Rich lady' Westmont puts rubber gloves hip boots wades looking labels proofs purchase" needed manufacturers' refunds. M. Sloane, "The Supermarket Shopper's" 1980 Guide Coupons Refunds 74, 161 Even prominent Americans invulnerable. weekly five sidewalk Secretary Kissinger. newspaper editorial criticizing journalistic "trash-picking" "[e]vidently 'everybody it.' course not, dissent implies, "bas[e] [our] conclusion" "sole incident." 51. Given dissenters tiny minority judges views ours, distinctly unimpressed dissent's prediction "society learn" today's 46. 436, 2851 (BLACKMUN, dissenting); 437, 444, 2855 (STEVENS, 433-434, 2849-2850 (Powell, judgment) (rejecting trivial," cigarbox Dixie cup," protection). York Belton, 454, 460-461, 2860, 2864, 768 (1981) (defining "container," lawful custodial arrest, "any object capable object," including "luggage, boxes, clothing, like"). addition finding duffelbag plastic-wrapped packages, automobile exception requirement, Carroll 267 132, 153, 280, 285, 543 (1925), automobile. overruled latter determination where, here, inapplicable, contents. Both recognizes sealed, refute conclusion, heavily bar leads "distinctly unimpressed" position, 43, 5, impressively undistinguished. Of Appeals cited factually legally distinguishable, 1985) (police apparently valuable briefcase "discarded next overflowing busy street"); (reasonable agents legal), rely entirely almost abandonment infra, 51, discredited, 1986) ("The question, then, becomes placing constitutes property"); (CA2) ("[T]he trash"), 1981) cans time place anticipated hauling signifies abandonment"); curiam) act terminates fourth protection"), 1978) [garbage] happens thereafter amendment"), ) ("[F]ederal holds Amendment"); 972 1972) (when defendant "deposited them"). reading state-court reveals equally unimpressive pattern. 'our invasion' ") 1741, (1984)); (plurality opinion) ("Expectations established social norms"); Dow Chemical Co. 227, 248, 1819, 1832, 226 J.); Bush Bly, Expectation Privacy Analysis Warrantless Trash Reconnaissance after Ariz.L.Rev. 283, 293 ("[S]ocial custom serves foundation great expectations") (citation To sure, statutes criminalizing interference mails mail, U.S.C. §§ 1701-1705, 1708, statutory none text mention handed carriers delivery.

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