Document: 386 U.S. 58 87 S.Ct. 788 17 L.Ed.2d 730 Joe Nathan COOPER, Petitioner,v.STATE OF CALIFORNIA. No. 103. Argued Dec. 8, 1966. Decided Feb. 20, 1967. Michael Traynor, San Francisco, Cal., Jared G. Carter, Anthony C. Gilbert, Donald H. Maffly, Preble Stolz, of counsel, for petitioner. Albert W. Harris, Jr., respondent. Mr. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion Court. 1 Petitioner was convicted in a California state court selling heroin to police informer. The conviction rested part on introduction evidence small piece brown paper sack seized by without warrant from glove compartment an automobile which police, upon petitioner's arrest, had impounded and were holding garage. search occurred week after arrest appealed his District Court Appeal which, considering itself bound our Preston v. United States, 376 364, 84 881, 11 777, held that seizure violated Fourth Amendment's ban unreasonable searches seizures. That went on, however, determine this harmless error under Art. VI, § 4 1/2, California's Constitution provides judgments should not be set aside or reversed unless is 'resulted miscarriage justice.' 234 Cal.App.2d 587, 44 Cal.Rptr. 483. Supreme declined hear case. We granted certiorari along with Chapman California, 18, 824, 705, consider whether harmless-error constitutional provision could used way ignore alleged federal error. 384 904, 86 1348, 16 357. have today passed question Chapman, but do reach it case because we are satisfied lower erroneously decided required one within meaning Amendment. 2 made clear Amendment depends facts circumstances each pointed out, particular, cars constantly movable may make car reasonable although result might opposite home, store, other fixed property. U.S., at 366—367, S.Ct., 882—883. In sought justified primarily ground incidental lawful arrest. There said '(o)nce accused custody, then another place, warrant, simply incident arrest.' Id., 367, 883. case, alternatively argued warrantless search, over while Preston's being him officers probable cause believe stolen. But arrested vagrancy, theft, no claim authority hold charge. therefore treated as though own agent's possession, safe intrusions anyone else. situation involving quite different. 3 Here, Attorney General concedes It argued, grounds. Section 11611 Health & Safety Code any officer making narcotics violation shall seize deliver State Division Narcotic Enforcement vehicle conceal, transport, sell facilitate possession narcotics, such 'to until forfeiture has been declared release ordered.'1 (Emphasis supplied.) Petitioner's vehicle, showed carry transportation, their duty kept 'as evidence' proceedings carried conclusion. concluded, matter law, statute did 'clear express language' authorize car. Cal.App.2d, 598, Cal.Rptr., 491. here authorized law. rather Just law amendment, so expressly constitutionally one. While true, said, 'lawful custody does dispense requirements thereafter it', ibid., reason nature justify search. vagrancy. An arresting took station than just leaving street. suggested done convenience right impound keep whomever he send it. fact totally unrelated vagrancy charge they him. So subsequent This Preston, nor controlled Here They crime concluded. Their 'legal title' not—was closely related petitioner arrested, impounded, retained. take place four months lawfully seized. would having retain length time, right, even protection, answer say obtained '(t)he relevant test procure reasonable.' States Rabinowitz, 339 56, 66, 70 430, 435, 94 L.Ed. 653. Under cannot examination validly use proceeding. Our holding, course, affect State's power impose higher standards seizures Federal if chooses so. And when alone violated, free, review us, apply its rule errors here, there need us properly applied rule.2 5 Affirmed. 6 DOUGLAS, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE, BRENNAN FORTAS concur, dissenting. 7 When auto officers, pursuant Code, 11611. section authorizes laws 'vehicle unlawfully transport narcotic unlawful transportation narcotic, kept,' directs ordered.' About agent searched car, stored towing service, discovered appeared torn grocery bag. introduced trial, two bundles heroin, allegedly sold informer, wrapped.1 indicted heroin. A judgment entered day termination trial. 8 bag product illegal First, rely realistically noted title relate back time judicial declaration forfeiture. Since 596—597, 489—490. Second, 597, 490. since illegal. 9 Hence give more dominion custody. 10 others failed acceptable explanation presence parked late night. taken station, first After men booked, garage, found incriminating conspiracy rob federally insured bank. instant garage likewise warrant. As Nor can distinguished not. legalize provisions, all fours far concerned. If all, militates against reasonableness Preston: '(S)ince (there no) danger moved out locality jurisdiction.' 368, 884. Moreover, forfeited foreclosed court's that, circumstances, date seizure. interpretation will upset Guaranty Trust Co. N.Y. Blodgett, 287 509, 53 244, 77 463. 12 To repeat, Preston. For 'validly' Court's expression. sanctions applies well Government. Mapp Ohio, 367 643, 81 1684, 1081. 13 I see only ways explain opinion. One overrules sub silentio. those who like think, states healthy rule, protecting zone privacy individual prescribed These days often cars, them away whem improperly parked. Those police. Yet precincts invaded barriers breached. Unless insist obtain man's must home. 14 present decision overrule perhaps rationalized ground. view Bill Rights Fourteenth Amendment, watered-down version used. 'due process' qualifies provisions Rights. Today's explicable terms. also reject view. 'Unreasonable seizures' 'self-incrimination' reference Fifth, 'freedom speech' like, mean same case.2 Cal. 11610 provides: 'The interest registered owner kept, deposited, concealed keeping, depositing concealment possessed occupant thereof thereof, State.' presents contention unconstitutionally deprived confront witness him, produce informant testify absolutely devoid merit. marijuana seed, objection jury trial judge indicated seed irrelevant tried. approved Malloy Hogan, 378 1, 10—11, 1489, 1494—1495,

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