Document: 407 U.S. 143 92 S.Ct. 1921 32 L.Ed.2d 612 Frederick E. ADAMS, Warden, Petitioner,v.Robert WILLIAMS. No. 70—283. Argued April 10, 1972. Decided June 12, Syllabus Acting on a tip supplied moments earlier by an informant known to him, police officer asked respondent open his car door. Respondent lowered the window, and reached into found loaded handgun (which had not been visible from outside) in respondent's waistband, precisely where said it would be. was arrested for unlawful possession of handgun. A search incident arrest disclosed heroin person (as reported), as well other contraband car. Respondent's petition federal habeas corpus relief denied District Court. The Court Appeals reversed, holding that evidence used trial resulting conviction obtain search. obtained 1868, 20 889, recognizes, policeman making reasonable investigatory stop may conduct limited protective concealed weapons when he has reason believe suspect is armed dangerous. Here information enough indicia reliability justify officer's forcible petitioner seizure weapon, which afforded ground ensued. Pp. 145—149. 441 F.2d 394, reversed. Donald A. Browne, Bridgeport, Conn., petitioner. Edward F. Hennessey, III, Hartford, respondent. Mr. Justice REHNQUIST delivered opinion 1 Robert Williams convicted Connecticut state court illegal during 'stop frisk,' full arrest. After affirmed Supreme Connecticut, State v. Williams, 157 Conn. 114, 249 A.2d 245 (1968), this certiorari. 395 927, 89 1783, 23 244 (1969). Williams' divided panel Second Circuit, 436 30 (1970), but rehearing en banc granted relief. 394 (1971). That held introduced at car, thus judgments should be set aside. Since we conclude policeman's actions here conformed standards laid down Terry Ohio, 392 1, 88 889 reverse. 2 Police Sgt. John Connolly alone early morning patrol duty high-crime area Connecticut. At approximately 2:15 a.m. approached cruiser informed him individual seated nearby vehicle carrying narcotics gun waist. 3 calling assistance radio, investigate informant's report. tapped window occupant, When rolled instead, sergeant removed fully revolver waistband. outside place indicated informant. then pistol. conducted after officers arrived. They substantial quantities they machete second hidden automobile. 4 contends initial pistol, upon rested later narcotics, justified Connolly. He claims absent more reliable informant, or some corroboration tip, were unreasonable under forth supra. 5 In recognized 'a appropriate circumstances manner approach purposes investigating possibly criminal behavior even thoughthere no probable cause make arrest.' Id., 22, S.Ct., 1880. Fourth Amendment does require who lacks precise level necessary simply shrug shoulders allow crime occur escape. On contrary, terry recognizes essence good work adopt intermediate response. See id., 23, 1881. brief suspicious individual, order determine identity maintain status quo momentarily while obtaining information, most light facts time. 21—22, 1879—1880; see Gaines Craven, 448 1236 (CA9 1971); United States Unverzagt, 424 396 (CA8 1970). 6 opportunity protect himself attack hostile suspect. 'When believing whose close range presently dangerous others,' weapons. U.S., 24, purpose discover crime, pursue investigation without fear violence, frisk might equally reasonable, whether weapon violated any applicable law. So long entitled stop,1 dangerous, scope purpose. 30, 1884. 7 Applying these principles present case, acted justifiably responding tip. personally provided with past. This stronger case than obtains anonymous telephone came forward give immediately verifiable scene. Indeed, law, have subject immediate false complaint Connolly's proved incorrect.2 Thus, Court's decisions indicate unverified insufficient warrant, see, e.g., Spinelli States, 393 410, 584, 21 637 (1969); Aguilar Texas, 378 108, 84 1509, 12 723 (1964), carried Williams. 8 reaching conclusion, reject argument can only based personal observation, rather another person. Informants' tips, like all clues coming scene, vary greatly their value reliability. One rule will cover every situation. Some completely lacking reliability, either warrant response further before authorized. But situations—for example, victim street seeks aid gives description assailant, credible warns specific impending crime—the subtleties hearsay thwart 9 While properly activity reported sitting morning, ample safety.3 complying request step out so movements could easily seen, allegedly waist became greater threat. Under action spot thought constituted intrusion designed insure safety, reasonable. seized result therefore admissible trial. 10 Once predicted, existed weapon. Probable depends 'upon whether, moment made . within (the arresting officers') knowledge reasonably trustworthy sufficient prudent man (suspect) committed committing offense.' Beck 379 89, 91, 85 223, 225, 13 142 (1964). predicted tended corroborate report and, together surrounding circumstances, certainly suggested lawful explanation gun. same type each element offense needed support conviction. Draper 358 307, 311—312, 79 329, 331—332, 327 (1959). Rather, evaluate generally time decide if action: 11 'In dealing cause, however, very name implies, deal probabilities. These are technical; factual practical considerations everyday life men, legal technicians, act.' Brinegar 338 160, 175, 69 1302, 1310, 93 L.Ed. 1879 (1949). also 177. Connolly, charge supported lawful. supra; Carroll 267 132, 45 280, 543 (1925). fruits admitted trial, erred contrary conclusion. Reversed. 14 DOUGLAS, whom MARSHALL concurs, dissenting. 15 My views stated substance Judge Friendly dissenting Appeals. 35. allows its citizens carry weapons, otherwise, will, permit. Conn.Gen.Stat.Rev. §§ 29—35, 29 38. law authority Yet basis informer's narcotics. Can permit gun? Is why free-and-easy becomes constitutional? 16 problem acute one because Amendment, ease anyone acquire powerful lobby dins ears our citizenry purchases constitutional rights protected reads, 'A regulated Militia, being security free State, right people keep bear Arms, shall infringed.' 17 There stiff laws governing purchase pistols enacted. barred record. purchaser pistol pass psychiatric test. everyone except police. 18 leading Miller, 307 174, 59 816, 83 1206, upholding shipment interstate commerce sawed-off shotgun. upheld, there shotgun 'some relationship preservation efficiency militia.' 178, 818. held, 'must interpreted applied' view maintaining 'militia.' 19 'The Militia expected train contrast Troops forbidden consent Congress. sentiment strongly disfavored standing armies; common adequate defense country secured through Militia—civilians primarily, soldiers occasion.' 178—179, Critics say proposals water Amendment. Our belie argument, noted, alive militia. watering-down mood day, I prefer share concern easy extension 'possessory offenses' serious safeguards. 'If extended latter all, observation authenticated shows 'that afoot." F.2d, 39, quoting supra, BRENNAN, 22 crucial question turns, concedes, contention voluntarily rolling shown 'forcible' stop. affirm, believing, following reasons Judge, now Chief Friendly, dissenting, 38 did showing: 'To begin, gravest hesitancy extending (Terry (1968)) crimes .. too much danger that, instead object thereto, reverse true. Against added fact (But) permit, Conn.Gen.Stat. 29—35 29—38, special determining citizen one. 24 am wrong thinking applied mere possessory offenses, find combination Officer almost meaningless justification intrusion. suffered threefold defect, fold compounding others. informer unnamed, respect guns gave demonstrated or—what worse—could readily manufactured event. To my mind, sufficiently difference between sort accurate prediction unusual event important score former. (In (1959),) Narcotics Agent Marsh hardly Denver Station exact arrival taken Chicago unless somenone told something important, although agent embroidered details fit observed facts. such guarantee patrolling veracity testifies 'tip' unnamed saying across street, does. If wishes rely nature validate frisk, revelation demonstration unknown ascertained price. 25 'Terry Ohio intended rigidity prevent doing anything suspected about commit having just matter how grave impelling need swift action, what It meant cases imminent harm recently perpetrated persons property, conventional ones offenses. afoot.' 889. (contrary view) followed, opened sluicegates unintended erosion protection Amendment.' 26 MARSHALL, DOUGLAS joins, 27 Four years passed since decided companion cases, Sibron New York Peters York, 40, 1889, 917 (1968). first explicitly concept frisk' squarely may, though less marks flesh bones et al. Unfortunately, today's decision cannot Terry's skeletal framework. 28 '(T)he basic 'searches judicial process, prior approval judge magistrate, per se Amendment—subject few specifically established well-delineated exceptions.' exceptions 'jealously carefully drawn,' must showing those seek exemption exigencies situation course imperative.' burden seeking show it." Coolidge Hampshire, 403 443, 454—455, 91 2022, 2032, 564 'we do retreat holdings must, whenever practicable, advance searches seizures procedure.' 20, 1879. Yet, upheld realities on-the-street enforcement act times strong evidence, short taking Hence, stands proposition 'narrowly drawn weapons' warrant. 27, 1883. ignores begrudgingly accepted necessity creating exception requirement treats warrantless drawn' exception. betrays careful balance sought strike citizen's privacy government's responsibility effective expands far beyond heretofore legitimate. dissent. * states repeat appear me relevant issues presented. 31 passenger side front seat parked 'high area' During conversation nearby, saw motor running, peacefully indication leave door, pulled placed searched finding coat. More moved suppress both His motion possessing items. B. erroneously attempts describe But, Terry, Peters, occasion seize restrain interrogate him. clear soon questions; investigation; searched. nothing apart inquiry focus, therefore, infer engaging activity, focus falls 33 previously given involved homosexual local railroad station. colloquy took counsel hearing 34 'Q. Now, you homosexuals Bridgeport (sic), lead arrest? 35 An made. substantiating evidence. 36 evidence? 37 And mean that? didn't witness individuals nature. words, checked right? Well, possibility activity. 39 made, take information. I'm sorry counselor, 40 Was presume 41 don't recall commission 42 still reliable. Yes.'1 43 Were provide search, doubt hold insufficient. conclusory allegations credible. recent (1969), Harlan plain seizure, know way. 417, 589. testimony instant patently fails demonstrate idea source 'knowledge,' illegal. 44 Assuming, arguendo, truly involves, frisk,2 possessed interference liberty. actually uphold frisk,3 directly point, own observations. No involved. rational controlling, requires condemn encountering hunch engage frisk. want engaged dangerous.4 central observations scrutinized suspects interfering them legitimated act. 46 ignore care examined acted, upheld. explains knew accosting significant know. With scene generally, parked, belonged. gun,5 ever seen gun, legally, permitted, illegally.6 kind had, legally illegally possessed, was, capable distinguishing substances.7 47 Unable answer questions, nevertheless determined intrude determination totally unreasonable. As read stop, ultimately necessary; use unreliable, unsubstantiated, invasion never approve knee-jerk reaction us case. 48 Even assuming legitimate relying requires, dangerous.8 remains authorizes Terry. II 49 agree proper, go sustain subsequent searches. takes thereto. means 'facts prudence caution offence .' Stacey Emery, 97 642, 645, 1035 (1878). '(G)ood faith constitute cause.' Director General Railroads Kastenbaum, 263 25, 28, 52, 53, 68 146 (1923). 50 respondent, uncontradicted ask license it, hastened private guns, 'of caution' merely person.9 Any implication silence tacit admission guilt utterly absurd. 51 expect someone protest acting simple chose so. choice, clearly 52 departure mainstream cases. Johnson 333 367, (1948), smelled opium room. unlawful. 637, corroborated observation. impossible understand III 53 Douglas sole dissenter warned 'powerful hydraulic pressures throughout history heavily guarantees ..' position watering rights, hesitantly cautiously striking American government urgent narrow demonstrates prescient was. 54 seems delicate struck delicate, susceptible 'hydraulic pressures' day. decision, weighted favor government. included Bill Rights arbitrary oppressive herein, dealt blow. Today's invokes specter society innocent stopped, searched, whim slightest suspicion improper conduct. Petitioner contend Section 53—168 Statutes, force events, 'person knowingly makes alleging committed' guilty misdemeanor. Figures Federal Bureau Investigation 125 policemen murdered 1971, five killed gunshot wounds. Law Enforcement Bulletin, Feb. 1972, p. 33. According study, 30% shootings occurred Bristow, Shootings—A Tactical Evaluation, J.Crim.L.C. & P.S. (1963). App. 96—97. meaning term intend emphasize is, lesser full-scale seizure. sustained validity 29, 1884; 64, 1903. irrelevant. areas likely authorized themselves. § 29—35. permits certain specified circumstances—e.g., pursuant doctor's prescription. 19—443, 19—456(c), 19—481. virtually armed. Other courts followed closely. See, Commonwealth Bourke, 218 Pa.Super. 320, 323, 280 425, 427 (1971); Clarke, 219 340, 343, 662, 663 Finley People, 176 Colo. 488 P.2d 883 Goudy, Haw, 497, 505, 479 800, 805 (1971) (Abe, J., dissenting). appears existence disputed minimal here, lacked done shirt blue, wearing jacket. Moreover, identify sight ability cry

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