Document: 476 U.S. 207 106 S.Ct. 1809 90 L.Ed.2d 210 CALIFORNIA, Petitionerv.CIRAOLO. No. 84-1513. Argued Dec. 10, 1985. Decided May 19, 1986. Rehearing Denied June 30, See 478 1014, 3320. Syllabus The Santa Clara, Cal., police received an anonymous telephone tip that marijuana was growing in respondent's backyard, which enclosed by two fences and shielded from view at ground level. Officers who were trained identification secured a private airplane, flew over house altitude of 1,000 feet, readily identified plants the yard. A search warrant later obtained on basis one officer's naked-eye observations; photograph surrounding area taken airplane attached as exhibit. executed, seized. After California trial court denied motion to suppress evidence search, he pleaded guilty charge cultivation marijuana. Court Appeal reversed warrantless aerial observation yard violated Fourth Amendment. Held: Amendment not backyard. Pp. 211-215. (a) touchstone analysis is whether person has constitutionally protected reasonable expectation privacy, involves inquiries individual manifested subjective privacy object challenged society willing recognize reasonable. Katz v. United States, 389 347, 88 507, 19 576. In pursuing second inquiry, test legitimacy chooses conceal assertedly "private activity," but government's intrusion infringes upon personal societal values 211-212. (b) On record here, all observations his backyard unreasonable. That its crop within "curtilage" home did itself bar observation. mere fact measures restrict some views activities does preclude public vantage point where right be renders clearly visible. here took place navigable airspace, physically nonintrusive manner. able observe discernible naked eye marijuana, it irrelevant directed identifying officers Any member flying this airspace cared glance down could have seen everything observed. simply require traveling airways feet obtain order what visible eye. 212-215. 161 Cal.App.3d 1081, 208 Cal.Rptr. 93, reversed. BURGER, C.J., delivered opinion Court, WHITE, REHNQUIST, STEVENS, O'CONNOR, JJ., joined. POWELL, J., filed dissenting opinion, BRENNAN, MARSHALL, BLACKMUN, joined, post, p. 215. Laurence K. Sullivan, San Francisco, for petitioner. Marshall Warren Krause, Larkspur, respondent. Chief Justice BURGER Court. 1 We granted certiorari determine without fenced-in curtilage home. 2 * September 2, 1982, Clara Police unable contents level because 6-foot outer fence 10-foot inner completely enclosing Later day, Officer Shutz, assigned investigate, plane airspace; accompanied Rodriguez. Both identification. From overflight, 8 10 height 15- 25-foot plot yard; they photographed with standard 35mm camera. 3 8, Shutz affidavit describing their depicting house, neighboring homes executed next day 73 seized; disputed these 4 respondent reversed, however, led issuance 93 (1984). held first garden home, under Oliver 466 170, 104 1735, 80 214 emphasized existence constituted "objective criteria we may conclude any standard." Cal.App.3d, 1089, Cal.Rptr., 97. 5 Examining particular method surveillance undertaken, then found "significant" flyover "was result routine patrol conducted other legitimate law enforcement or safety objective, undertaken specific purpose observing enclosure [respondent's] curtilage." Ibid. It focused "a direct unauthorized into sanctity home" privacy. Id., 1089-1090, 98 (footnote omitted). Supreme State's petition review. 6 certiorari, 471 1134, 105 2672, 86 691 (1985). reverse. 7 State argues "knowingly exposed" observation, aircraft overhead. analogizes mode knothole opening fence: if there opening, look. Appeal, noted earlier, accepted unlike casual overhead, flight specifically small suburban yard, overflight. Respondent contends done can reasonably expected tell world wishes maintain covering Such covering, argues, would defeat outside living area; asserts "knowingly" exposed himself views. II 9 "constitutionally privacy." 360, 516, 576 (1967) (Harlan, concurring). posits two-part inquiry: first, search? Second, reasonable? Smith Maryland, 442 735, 740, 99 2577, 2580, 61 220 (1979). Clearly—and understandably—respondent met manifesting own intent desire unlawful agricultural pursuits. However, need address issue, finding had such expectation. assumed placed least street-level So far normal sidewalk traffic concerned, served purpose, "took precautions Rawlings Kentucky, 448 98, 105, 100 2556, 2561, 65 633 (1980). 11 Yet might shield eyes citizen policeman perched top truck two-level bus. Whether therefore instead merely hope no gardening pursuits, entirely clear circumstances. appears challenge authority government activity viewing motivated casual, accidental 12 turn, therefore, inquiry Katz, i.e., must keep mind "[t]he 'private' "whether Amendment." Oliver, supra, U.S., 181-183, S.Ct., 1742-1744. 13 governmental permissible warrant.1 history genesis doctrine are instructive. "At common law, extends intimate associated 'sanctity man's privacies life.' " 180, 1742 (quoting Boyd 116 616, 630, 524, 532, 29 L.Ed. 746 (1886)). Blackstone, Commentaries *225. protection afforded essentially families intimately linked both psychologically, expectations most heightened. claimed immediately adjacent surrounded high double fences. This close nexus appear encompass curtilage. Accepting, does, fall curtilage, question remains lawfully operating violates 14 never been extended when passing thoroughfares. Nor E.g., States Knotts, 460 276, 282, 103 1085-1086, 75 55 (1983). "What knowingly exposes public, even office, subject protection." 351, 511. 15 Rodriguez case see 49 U.S.C.App. § 1304, manner; irrelevant. precisely judicial officer needs provide warrant. glanced record, unreasonable prepared honor.2 16 dissent ignores Harlan's warning concurrence 361-362, 516-517, should limited proscribing only physical intrusions onto property. Post, ----. But about future electronic developments potential interference communications, 362, 517, plainly aimed simple visual place. Indeed, since required warrants intercepting conversations. District 407 297, 92 2125, 32 752 (1972). 17 Harlan made crystal resting reality enters booth entitled assume conversation being intercepted. translate rule constitutional dimensions grows illicit drugs "entitled assume" conduct will observed aircraft—or power company repair mechanic pole overlooking As emphasized, 18 is, purposes, expects objects, activities, statements 'plain view' outsiders 'protected' intention them exhibited. hand, conversations open against overheard, circumstances unreasonable." 361, 516-517. One doubt 1967 considered category "electronic" stealthily intrude individual's age commercial routine, expect feet. eye.3 20 Reversed. 21 whom BLACKMUN join, dissenting. 22 Concurring (1967), warned decision construe property "is, present bad physics well defeated invasion." 516. Because today departs significantly developed deciding violation occurred, I dissent. 23 Court's reflects, facts complicated. investigated report tall prevented looking street. directly behind so furnished border fence. proceeded, obtaining warrant, charter fly Observing yards neighbors. shows also contained swimming pool patio. affidavit, photograph, issued,1 confirmed Shutz' observations. arrested cultivating felony law. 24 intruded rejects contention, holding although ground, airspace. my view, rests obvious fact, namely, generally persons travel airplanes. explain why single deprives citizens interest outdoor A. 25 protects people secure persons, houses, papers, effects, searches seizures." While familiar recounted here,2 remember reflects choice our "dwell security freedom surveillance." Johnson 333 14, 68 367, 369, 436 (1948). Since Framers Constitution, cases construing relied part instruction "what sorts . regarded reasonable." Steagald 451 204, 217, 101 1642, 1650, 38 (1981). repeatedly refused freeze 'into those practices existed time Amendment's passage.' n. quoting Payton New York, 445 573, 591, 33, 1371, 1382-83, 63 639 313, 2134-2135, Rather, construed 'in light contemporary norms conditions,' n.10, 1382-1383, prevent "any stealthy encroachments" citizens' free arbitrary official intrusion, 635, 535, (1886). landmark fulfilled duty protect rights asking 26 held, opinions written Justices prior recognized, e.g., Goldman 316 129, 139-141, 62 993, 998-999, 1322 (1942) (Murphy, dissenting); Olmstead 277 438, 474, 48 564, 571, 72 944 (1928) (Brandeis, dissenting), defines "search" reference invaded area" provides real techniques possible through technology. Technological advances enabled people's associations, hear conversations, proximity. Moreover, capability now exists intrusive penetration walls structures believe shelters privacy.3 Looking "broad unsuspected incursions" "cherished law-abiding citizens," 312-313, 2135 omitted), abandoned committed trespass. announced occurrence turned position conducting surveillance, 27 Our decisions following teaching illustrate "normally embraces discrete questions." "The individual, conduct, 'exhibited actual (subjective) privacy.' 516-517 "is 'one "reasonable." ' --- purports reaffirm analytical framework, conclusory rejection residence unreasonable," ante, 213, represents turning away principles guided inquiry. claim curiously odds purported reaffirmation doctrine, companion case, Dow Chemical Co. 227, 1819, 226 particularly conclusion 235, 28 described "legitimate sense Amendment."4 182, 1742, answer turns 182-183, 1743-1744. consideration dispositive, "the given weight factors Amendment, uses put location, understanding certain areas deserve scrupulous invasion."5 178, 1741. often decided "reference 'place,' 516 concurring); 589, 1381, virtually always legitimate, ibid.; see, Karo, 468 705, 713-715, 3296, 3302-3303, 82 530 (1984); 211-212, 1647-1648. very core [of Amendment] stands [person] retreat intrusion." Silverman 365 505, 511, 81 679, 683, 734 (1961). B stated "has purposes." 1742. today, reaffirms "curtilage evolved much same kind interior structure." 1825. emphasizes, moreover, accepts homes. 30 courts "have defined remain private. See, Van Dyke, 643 F.2d 992, 993-994 (CA4 1981); Williams, 581 451, 453 (CA5 1978); Care 231 22, (CA10), cert. denied, 351 932, 76 788, 1461 (1956)." lower federal agreed "an domestic use dwelling usually fenced dwelling."6 LaBerge, 267 F.Supp. 686, 692 (Md.1967); 1984). Those facts. Ibid., citing (CA10 1956). Relevant include proximity between nature put, steps resident by. 25; 993-994. III 31 begins issue posed agree there,7 passersby. implicitly acknowledges respect ground-level interests "most heightened" protection. Ante, 213. foregoing discussion demonstrates, unquestionably family street, certainly climbed fence, used ladder peer securing supra; (CA 1978). concludes, nevertheless, airplane—a product modern technology—to visually notes "within airspace," looked relies invasion ibid. Reliance manner contrary identifies focusing society. consistently presence absence trespass asserted 2134-2135. 33 holding, rest solely members planes look them. 213-214. finds significant. believes bear risk air travelers occurring backyards sun air. risk, hold, nullifies purposeful support 34 line reasoning flawed. First, pleasure nonexistent. Travelers flights, business reasons, normally fleeting, anonymous, nondiscriminating glimpse landscape buildings pass.8 passenger connect people, too trivial against. accident that, matter experience, many build around residential areas, few roofs backyards. Therefore, suggestion, do 'knowingly expos[e]' 'to public' failing barriers surveillance. 35 reliance Knotts reveals problem analysis. streets, 281-282, 1085-1086. Comings goings streets matters, Constitution disable every see. contrast, approves similar approved areas. judgment remote possibility notice equivalent surveillance.9 fails acknowledge qualitative difference Members travel, business, pleasure, taking yards. Here, overflight low discovering crime enclave forbidden easy force individuals type areas.10 36 meaning "Warrantless presumptively unreasonable, though recognized exceptions general rule." 717, 3304. presents exception. indiscriminate illustrated neighbors, poses "far serious threat escape sort oversight." 716, 3304 affirm ordering suppression plants. IV 37 Some involving property, obnoxious thing mildest repulsive form." 535. long ago essence "not breaking [a person's] doors, rummaging drawers," rather indefeasible security, liberty property." 532. Rapidly advancing technology permits itself, cherished society, designed silent unseen invasions variety settings, heightened person's left alone house. enforce give longstanding presumption unreasonable.11 parties framed below concerning reasonableness generally, Pet. Cert. i, raising distinct exhibit similarly circumscribed. supported testified identify failed reveal "true representation" color plants: "you eye." App. 36. pointed distinction engaged "routine patrol." concluded officers' "focused" short, regular lead different result. rational hardly relevant, find difficulty exactly how differ airplanes pass overhead identical altitudes, purposes. cited novel begat. (1986), hold mapping camera industrial manufacturing complex "[a]erial become invasive, either due intrusiveness discloses senses objects otherwise imperceptible fellow citizens." Brief Petitioner 14-15. authorized garage, narcotics paraphernalia, records relating sales, documents occupant premises. 583-585, 20, 1378-1379, said more than four decades ago: "[T]he one's office longer requires entry science brought forth effective devices methods oppression detested forbears inspired quarters accomplished placing sanctum detectaphone transmits listener details conversation, new photography penetrate overcome distances, equally Government matters laid bare view." 139, 998, dissenting). 1942, sophisticated means classic description, recognizes regards "legitimate," using words "reasonable" "legitimate" interchangeably. Rakas Illinois, 439 128, 143-144, 12, 421, 430, 58 387 (1978). "Legitimation source concepts understandings permitted society." necessarily focuses Oxford English Dictionary court, garth, piece dwelling-house, forming it, law; containing dwelling-house out-buildings." 1278 (1933). omits patio sunbathing activities. At hearing, sought introduce showing consider evidence. Tr. 5-8 (Aug. 15, 1983). Of course, during takeoff landing, briefly enough altitudes afford fleeting opportunities types curtilages residents live strictly regulated landing zones. us know aircrafts, rarely—if ever—is opportunity practical photographing case. analogy overflights, wholly merit. precedents kinds information police. Miller, 425 435, 443, 96 1619, 1624, 71 (1976). None precedent today's decision. MARSHALL observed, sensitive risks "should forced 750, 2585, 220, (1979) (dissenting opinion). implications feature makes desirable occur sunlight, justification permitting will. Aerial nearly after includes engage there. before suspected crime.

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