Document: 480 U.S. 294 107 S.Ct. 1134 94 L.Ed.2d 326 UNITED STATES, Petitionerv.Ronald Dale DUNN. No. 85-998. Argued Jan. 20, 1987. Decided March 3, Rehearing Denied April See 481 1024, 1913. Syllabus In 1980, Drug Enforcement Administration agents, having discovered that one Carpenter had bought large quantities of chemicals and equipment used to make controlled substances, placed tracking "beepers" in some the chemical containers, which, when transported Carpenter's truck, led agents respondent's ranch. Aerial photographs ranch showed truck backed up a barn behind house. The was completely encircled by perimeter fence, contained several interior barbed wire fences, including around house approximately 50 yards from barn, wooden fence enclosing front which an open overhang locked, waist-high gates. Without warrant, officers crossed barn. They were there smell chemicals, and, while there, could hear motor running inside. did not enter but stopped at locked gate shined flashlight inside, observing what they took be drug laboratory. then left ranch, entered it twice next day confirm laboratory's presence. obtained search warrant executed it, arresting respondent seizing equipment, as well bags amphetamines After District Court denied motion suppress all evidence seized pursuant convicted conspiracy manufacture substances related offenses. However, Appeals reversed, holding within residence's curtilage therefore Fourth Amendment's protective ambit. Held: 1. area near is for Amendment purposes. Extent-of-curtilage questions should resolved with particular reference following four factors, least extent bear upon whether claimed so intimately tied home itself under home's "umbrella" protection: (1) proximity home; (2) enclosure surrounding (3) nature uses put; (4) steps taken resident protect observation passersby. Applying first factor instant case, barn's substantial distance (50 yards) (60 supports no inference treated adjunct Second, lie house, plainly demarks part parcel stands out distinct separate portion Third, especially significant possessed objective data indicating being home, aerial apparently unload its contents included container, detected strong odors coming from, heard in, Fourth, little those standing outside, ranch's fences type corral livestock, ensure privacy. Pp. 300-303. 2. Respondent's contention that, because essential his business, he expectation privacy independent curtilage, without merit. Even assuming lawfully argument ignores fact prior obtaining never conducted their observations fields after crossing over ranch-style fences. Court's decisions have established Government's intrusion unreasonable search; erection on field—at involved here—does create constitutionally protected interest; warrantless naked-eye unconstitutional; shining into area, probable cause permissible. 303-305. 782 F.2d 1226 (CA 5 1985), reversed. WHITE, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., BLACKMUN, POWELL, STEVENS, O'CONNOR, JJ., joined, paragraph headed "Third" Part II SCALIA, joined. filed concurring part, post, p. ----. BRENNAN, dissenting opinion, MARSHALL, Roy T. Englert, Jr., Washington, D.C., petitioner. Louis Dugas, Orange, Tex., respondent. Justice WHITE Court. 1 We granted petition certiorari decide located is, purposes, Fifth Circuit held lay house's suppressed certain result law enforcement officials' onto immediately (1986). conclude outside accordingly reverse judgment Appeals. 2 * Respondent Ronald Dunn codefendant, Robert Lyle Carpenter, jury conspiring phenylacetone amphetamine, possess amphetamine intent distribute, violation 21 U.S.C. § 846. also manufacturing these two possessing distribute. events giving rise apprehension conviction began 1980 (DEA) purchased phenylacetone. DEA warrants Texas state judge authorizing installation miniature electronic transmitter devices, or "beepers," electric hot plate stirrer, drum acetic anhydride, container phenylacetic acid, precursor All items been ordered Carpenter. On September possession lost signal "beeper" few days later. able track however, October 27, until November 5, date pickup carrying arrived property receiving transmission signals stirrer early determined property. 3 comprised 198 acres fence. constructed mainly posts multiple strands wire. residence situated 1/2 mile public road. A nearby small greenhouse. Two barns this larger enclosed overhang. Locked, gates barred entry proper, netting material stretched ceiling top 4 evening officials made agent accompanied officer Houston Police Department Standing midway between barns, smelled believed odor direction barns. approached smaller barns—crossing fence—and, looking observed only empty boxes. proceeded another walked through gates, peered thought barn.1 At point departed property, more 6 presence 6, 8:30 p.m., Federal Magistrate issued 8, 1980.2 arrested closet convicted. decision rendered 1982, reversed conviction. United States v. Dunn, 674 1093. court concluded based information during officers' unlawful therefore, suppressed. Underpinning conclusion court's reasoning "the question ambit fourth amendment." Id., 1100. certiorari, vacated Appeals, remanded case further consideration light Oliver States, 466 170, 104 1735, 80 214 (1984). 467 1201, 2380, 81 340 remand, reaffirmed suppressed, altered legal basis supporting conclusion: peering structure, nonetheless violated "reasonable contents." 766 880, 886 (1985). Government again certiorari. January 17, 1986, before acted petition, recalled stating would new due course. 781 52. February 4, reinstated original asserting "[u]pon studied reflection, we now hold inside curtilage." F.2d, 1227. thereupon submitted supplement revising presented 477 903, 106 3270, 91 561, reverse. 7 concept originated common extend dwelling same protection burglary afforded itself. plays interpreting reach Amendment. Hester 265 57, 59, 44 445, 446, 68 L.Ed. 898 (1924), accorded "persons, houses, papers, effects" fields, distinction person's "is old law. Bl. Comm. 223, 225, 226."3 8 supra. There, recognized protects factors individual reasonably may expect U.S., 180, S.Ct., 1742. identified central component inquiry harbors "intimate activity associated 'sanctity man's privacies life.' " Ibid. (quoting Boyd 116 616, 630, 524, 532, 29 746 (1886)). 9 Drawing own cases cumulative experience lower courts grappled task defining believe factors: put, people passing by. California Ciraolo, 476 207, 221, 1809, 1817, 90 210 (1986) (POWELL, dissenting) (citing Care 231 22, 25 (CA10), cert. denied, 351 932, 76 788, 100 1461 (1956); Van Dyke, 643 992, 993-994 (CA4 1981)).4 do suggest combining produces finely tuned formula mechanically applied, yields "correct" answer extent-of-curtilage questions. Rather, are useful analytical tools degree any given centrally relevant consideration—whether protection. difficulty concluding 10 First. record discloses 60 882-883; 1228. isolation, 11 Second. It noted Oliver, supra, "for most homes, boundaries will clearly marked; conception curtilage—as life extends—is familiar easily understood our daily experience." 182, n. 12, 1743, 12. Viewing physical layout entirety, see 1228, plain serves demark specific land adjacent readily identifiable Conversely, barn—the fence—and quite residence. 12 Third. intimate activities home. driving acid "apparently," words unloading 1096. When suspicion directed toward "a very odor" acid. App. 15. As "could running, like pump sort. . ." 17. Furthermore, "extremely strong" crack wall Finally, material, very, [and officers] loudly." 18. considered together, above facts indicated use put fairly characterized domestic deemed 13 Fourth. fields. Nothing suggests various function other than typical fence; designed prevent persons areas. III 14 submits alternative affirming below, ultimately relied asserts privacy, contents, business. Brief 9. overlooks significance 15 accept, sake argument, submission enjoyed warrant. But does follow us conduct ensuing seizure Constitution. precept, Hester, field neither "house" nor "effect," government's 'unreasonable searches' proscribed text Amendment." 177, 1740. expressly rejected variety present creates interest. 182-183, 1743-1744. "[T]he term 'open fields' include unoccupied undeveloped curtilage. An need 'open' 'field' terms speech." 11, 1742 11. follows constitutional occurred here similarly stopping previously mentioned, structure premises. Once vantage point, merely stood, constructed, front. And, Constitution forbid them observe laboratory This flows naturally previous decisions. 16 Under difference police place Similarly, objects assumed, decided, affect conclusion. Last Term, (1986), violate premise "has extended require shield eyes thoroughfares." 213, 1812. Importantly, irrelevant issue specifically identification marijuana plants growing plurality Brown, 460 730, 739-740, 103 1535, 1541-1542, 75 502 (1983), notes "beyond dispute" action illuminate car, "trenched right secured Lee, 274 559, 563, 47 746, 748, 71 1202 (1927) similar import. Here, beam flashlight, essentially transform meaning 17 viewed properly issuing Accordingly, 18 ordered. 19 part. 20 I join WHITE's exception "Third." seem me "especially home." Ante, 302. What used, knew it. perceptions might nevertheless reasonable, whom MARSHALL joins, dissenting. 22 agents' intrusions Dunn's reasons. First, barnyard invaded farmhouse. infringed reasonable contents. Our society exclusively urban unable perceive unwilling preserve farmers ranchers (literally) unwarranted government intrusion. 23 briefly recount facts. 24 outbuildings clearing surrounded woods, road, down chained, driveway. Neither farmhouse visible road encircles entire necessary cross "substantial" approaching either 1093, 1100 (CA5 1982). Its back sides 26 "were composed brick, metal siding, sliding doors enclosed. partially windows. remainder wood slatting time [the] agent['s] visits ., half covered fishnet To stand [under overhang]. From feet distant, visibility obscured slatting." 883 1985). 27 issues Agency agents—"circling sides, climbing front, entering going immediate enclosure"—infringed 884. A. 28 (1984), affirmed "open fields." explained extends states often evaluation by." 301. applies test concludes dwelling. role rural extensive authority clustered residence, 30 State federal long many outbuildings, building constituting integral group structures making farm Walker 225 447, 449 1955). Consequently, general rule "[c]urtilage includes connection such garages, sheds, [and] connected close vicinity residence." Luman Oklahoma, 629 P.2d 1275, 1276 (Okla.Crim.App.1981) (emphasis added). 31 overwhelming majority consistently See, e.g., Brown Oklahoma City, 721 1346, 1349 (Okla.App.1986) ("[C]urtilage includes, among things, like"); McGlothlin State, 705 S.W.2d 851, 857 (Tex.App.1986) (barn curtilage); Fierge, 673 855, 856 (Mo.App.1984) yards, lots residence"); Simpson, 639 230, 232 (Mo.App.1982) (same); supra Bunn 153 Ga.App. 270, 272, S.E.2d 88, (1980) (" '[c]urtilage' grounds address, buildings, etc."); Vicars, 207 Neb. 325, 330, 299 N.W.2d 421, 425 (calf shed separated chain link yard Browning, N.C.App. 376, 379, 221 375, 377 (1976) (curtilage 'at occupied cribs, outbuildings' ") Frizzelle, 243 N.C. 49, 51, 89 725, 726 (1955)); Norman 134 767, 768, 216 644, 645 (1975) (truck containing moonshine liquor 200 Brinlee 403 253, 256 (Okla.Crim.App.1965) (cattle lot 120 Or. 643, 648, 253 P. 533, 534 ("Premises dwellings Amendment[,] example construed earliest latest times 'dwelling' 'dwelling-house' main cluster buildings convenient occupants premises, generally described curtilage"). 32 courts, too, Berrong, 712 1370, 1374 (CA11 1983) ("[t]he 'outer limits curtilage' defined 'the outer walls extreme Williams, 581 451, 454 1978)); Rosencranz 356 310, 313 (CA1 1966) unknown driveway 70 private driveway, Swann, F.Supp. 1305, 1306 (Md.1974) (barns King, 305 634 (ND Miss.1969) curtilage). 33 Thus, demonstrates lies provides justification indifference weight precedent. 34 above-cited reveals infirmities application four-part test. militate against barnyard's Many cited involve excess yards. evident configuration determinative status outbuilding. where "well walked" driven" path, Supp. Pet. Cert. 51a, intervening fades irrelevance. 35 third test—the put—has badly misunderstood misapplied reasons actually use, misunderstanding level generality must proceed flatly inconsistent analysis Oliver. 36 matter, "are unlikely provide setting whose sought 179, 10, 1742, 10. refused case-by-case ascertain whether, occasion, individual's protected. 181, 1742-1743. confronted use. consistent refuse here, structure. willingness generalize about absence interest unwillingness existence manifestly reflect hostility purpose 37 Moreover, discovery typically No contend absent exigent circumstances, intrude operation. 38 accepting regarding faulty. finds noise emanating already wandering farmhouse, cannot abrogate gathered has occurred.1 39 sound remove otherwise simultaneously nondomestic uses, even drugs. Dual strip said Taylor 286 1, 52 466, 467, 951 (1932), garage city searched illegal alcohol, "[p]rohibition rely distinctive indicative possible crime; alone owner guarantees search."2 unconstitutional If concede it—they 40 With regard test, find astounding "[r]espondent 303. Initially, note fenced instead infra, fact, elaborate measures He end fishnetting. found "[t]o netting. 883. posting 24-hour guard 41 correctly reversal determination reflects fundamental life.3 B 42 Today's unforeseen consequence. narrowing narrows scope searches permissible if authorizes premises (such smokehouses) commonly Gumina 166 592, 595, 37, (1983) ("[E]ven [trailers] [in warrant], authorized Barton 161 591, 288 914, 915 (1982) grounds, gardens, outbuildings; though premises); 421 opposite side outbuilding); Bellamy 340, 383, 384 'Curtilage' comes English days. outbuilding 'curtilage' specifically"); Meek Pierce, Wis. 300, 302 (1865) ("It destroy utility proceeding, if, beside principally named, places concealment person, searched, virtue warrant"). today, reliance illegitimate, specify farmer's contemplated. 43 bring play. commercial 178, 1741, (the interests business "based societal expectations deep roots history Amendment").4 so, how far owner's extend. 45 assumes assumption correct. other. consider question,5 concluded: 46 "A much rancher's warehouse merchant's ought occupier takes effect privacy." 885. established, inquire building.6 Since Katz 389 347, 88 507, 576 (1967), applied whenever person invoking can claim 'justifiable,' 'reasonable,' 'legitimate privacy' action." Smith Maryland, 442 735, 740, 99 2577, 2580, 61 220 (1979). two-part inquiry. exhibit subjective object challenged search. 2580.7 met standard. 48 [must] prepared recognize 'reasonable.' Katz, 361, 516. (Harlan, concurring). For homeowner she leave item view area. occupant take additional step affirmatively barring operator areas excluded.8 public, 49 "[a]pplication justified-expectation-of-privacy requires surveillance conducted. using naked eye ear adjoining accessible "On hand, engage intense form surveillance, ordinarily Katz." W. LaFave, Search Seizure 2.4(b), pp. 433-434 (2d ed. 1987) added; footnotes omitted).9 51 379 So.2d 647 (Fla.1980) (petitioner "barn, petitioner's farming amendment premises" "took overt designate public"). (from excluded) unprotected (to access) last Term Dow Chemical Co. 227, 237-238, 1819, 1826-1827, 226 "EPA's photography 2,000-acre plant complex 229, 1822. holding, emphasized narrow raised" lawfulness "without entry" "[a]ny actual EPA raise significantly different questions." 237, 1826 reason, invasion so-called "business curtilage" presented. 239, 7, 1827, 7.10 53 Looking inaccessible public—here farmyard—is unacceptable When, excluded contrary position—part "[O]ccupants choice taking extraordinary methods sealing off else submitting unrestrained surveillance." 434.11 54 factory, plant, warehouse, public. Like establishments, excluded, receive undisputably entitled equally clear obvious efforts exclude public.12 IV 55 prohibits unrestricted, jeopardize individuals' sense security too heavily burden who wished privacy.13 order look traveled one-half fenced-in three stepped eaves peer opaque habitually surveillance—without warrant—is intolerable. Because farmers' ranchers' sanctioning behavior violence promise Amendment, dissent. denying Judge stated officials, incursions "did invade houses Tr. 216. disturb finding. suppression hearing, approach 5: "A. came around, underneath tin gate. "Q. How high gate? probably my waist, estimated. Was shut? shut locked. anything Yes, was. that? fish netting, kind hanging Did you go barn? stood gate." 17-18. Prior observations. section Blackstone's Commentaries cited, Blackstone elements common-law burglary, elaborated element breaking occur mansion "mansion house," wrote "no distant privileges, looked castle defence. Blackstone, *225. observed, "if stable, mansion-house, roof contiguous, committed therein; capital privileges branches appurtenances, homestall." decline invitation adopt "bright-line rule" farther nearest house." 14. Fencing configurations important 302, but, emphasize above, primary focus Application "first lead diminished lying activities. serve utility; still required assess outlined define Cf. Mullin, 329 295, 298 1964) ("We dissuaded [that smokehouse curtilage] testimony witnesses dilapidated condition, unfit (in opinion) storage meat. critical moment appearance entry; subsequent condition irrelevant. Di Re, 332 581, 222, 92 (1948)") addition, inherently Household differ apartment, retain character. way life, standard economy. bears prediction 196, 1750, (1984) (MARSHALL, dissenting), entries obliged "to on-the-spot judgments extends, stay zone" doing so. continue suggested dissent faithful set forth clearest property: "Private marked fashion sufficient render thereon criminal trespass Amendmen[t]." 195, 1750. By rejecting rule, willing sanction introduction potentially (trespassing) convict slightly serious crime." Comment, Curtilage Open Fields?: Gives Renewed Significance Concept Analysis, U.Pitt.L.Rev. 795, 810, 87 "For good ill, [the Government] teaches whole example. Crime contagious. becomes lawbreaker, breeds contempt law." Olmstead 277 438, 485, 564, 575, 72 944 (1928) (Brandeis, dissenting). Marshall Barlow's, Inc., 436 307, 312, 98 1816, 1820, 56 (1978) historical foundation "it untenable ban intended City Seattle, 387 541, 543, 1737, 1739, 943 (1967) ("The businessman, free official property"). 453 1955) (Rives, ("I reason why farmer less not, dweller office"); Janney 206 601, 603 1953) defendant's [Fourth] defendant, him business"); Broadhurst, 612 777, 790 (ED Cal.1985) "that citizens living working settings enterprises counterparts" prevail); premises"). usual manner deciding determine doctrine developed. 1741 added) "[A]n legitimately demand "); id., 1750-1751 ("[W]e spate litigation improvement category 'unoccupied area' exception' applicable"). situations defeat claim. 2580. Amsterdam, Perspectives 58 Minn.L.Rev. 349, (1974). requirement comports relationship obtain wishes excluded. 545, U.Pitt.L.Rev., 815, 113. example, Commonwealth Soychak, Pa.Super. 458, 462-463, 289 A.2d 119, 122-123 (1972), officer, suspicious gambling club, climbed louvers ventilating fan. despite club "failed block investigators," operators Air Pollution Variance Bd. Colo. Western Alfalfa Corp., 416 861, 865, 2114, 2115, 607 (1974) (inspector's corporation opacity reading emissions corporate smokestacks inspector "on excluded" "sighted anyone sky—plumes smoke"). matters denominated holds there. historically purposes Now restrict 816. Swart, 679 698 (CA7 1982), utilized both expectation-of-privacy sheds constituted repairing rebuilding cars trucks. "may buildings," "was closed premises." 702. likelihood enterprise closely life. compounds F.Supp., 790, Professor Amsterdam "[t]he draw blinds commit crime. discipline ourselves every room, pain not." 403.

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