Opinion ID: 2402568
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Heading: Concerning the Searches and Seizures

Text: There is, of course, no constitutional prohibition against search and seizure: the only requirement is that they must not be unreasonable. Amendment IV of the Constitution of the United States; Article 26 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights. Whether or not a search is unreasonable depends on the facts and circumstances in each case and is a question for the courts to decide. The general rule is that the search of a person or his property without a warrant and the seizure of things which are evidence of the commission of a crime is unreasonable and therefore unlawful. Buettner v. State, 233 Md. 235, 196 A.2d 465 (1964); Agnello v. United States, 269 U.S. 20 (1925). But there are well recognized exceptions to the genral rule. The search of a person without a warrant incident to a lawful arrest is not unreasonable. Gross v. State, 235 Md. 429, 201 A.2d 808 (1964). And under some circumstances a search of one's property may be made without a warrant as, for example, when the search is permissive. Armwood v. State, 229 Md. 565, 185 A.2d 357 (1962). Moreover, the right of immunity from unreasonable search and seizure is personal and one who disclaims ownership or other possessory interest has no right to protest the legality of a search and seizure. Carter v. State, 236 Md. 450, 204 A.2d 322 (1964).