Opinion ID: 455772
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Constitutionality of Warrantless Arrest

Text: 40 Love and Youngblood argue that their arrest was constitutionally defective because they were arrested without a warrant. This argument is without merit. Based on the totality of the circumstances, the government agents had valid probable cause to be stationed on Lee's premises. See Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 103 S.Ct. 2317, 76 L.Ed.2d 527 (1983). In addition, the exigencies of the circumstances surrounding the appellants' apprehension necessitated a warrantless arrest. Cf. Payton v. New York, 445 U.S. 573, 100 S.Ct. 1371, 63 L.Ed.2d 639 (1980) (absent exigent circumstances, an arrest in the home or curtilage area around the home must be accomplished by means of an arrest warrant.) Here, agents were properly stationed to apprehend those suspects who might surface at the primary landing site.