Document: 343 U.S. 747 72 S.Ct. 967 96 L.Ed. 1270 ON LEEv.UNITED STATES. No. 543. Argued April 24, 1952. Decided June 2, Rehearing Denied Oct. 13, See 73 5. Mr. Gilbert S. Rosenthal, New York City, for petitioner. Robert Erdahl, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice JACKSON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioner was convicted on a two-count indictment, one charging substantive offense selling pound opium in violation 21 U.S.C. §§ 173 and 174, U.S.C.A. 173, other conspiring to sell 18 § 371, 371. The Court Appeals sustained conviction by divided court.1 We granted certiorari.2 2 questions raised petitioner have been considered but only is enough general interest merit discussion. That concerns admission evidence two conversations had, while at large bail pending trial, with Chin Poy. circumstances are these: 3 Petitioner, On Lee, had laundry Hoboken. A customer's room opened street, back it ironing tables, rear were his living quarters. Poy, an old acquaintance former employee, sauntered and, customers came went, engaged accused conversation course which made incriminating statements. He did not know that Poy what Government calls 'an undercover agent' 'stool pigeon' Bureau Narcotics. Neither he wired sound, small microphone inside overcoat pocket antenna running along arm. Unbeknownst petitioner, agent Narcotics named Lawrence Lee stationed himself outside receiving set properly tuned pick up any sounds transmitted. Through front window could be seen through conversation, Chinese, heard Lee. few days later, sidewalks York, another took place between two, damaging admissions again 'audited' 4 For reasons left our imagination, called testify about petitioner's admissions. Against objection,3 however, allowed relate as aid set. Of this testimony, say certainly prejudicial if its improper. 5 contends should excluded because manner obtained violates both search-and-seizure provisions Fourth Amendment,4 605 Federal Communications Act, 47 605, 605,5 rejected those grounds, we pronounce inadmissible anyway under judicial power require fair play federal law enforcement. 6 conduct amount unlawful search seizure such proscribed Amendment. In Goldman v. United States, 316 129, 62 993, 86 1322, held action agents placing detectaphone outer wall defendant's hotel room, thereby overhearing within violate There earlier committed trespass order install listening device itself. Since failed work, court expressly reserved decision effect question situation. instant case has seized upon dictum, apparently assumption presence radio would automatically bring him reservation can show trespass. 7 But cannot raise undecided question,for here no committed. entered business consent, implied invitation, contends, Poy's subsequent 'unlawful conduct' vitiated consent rendered entry ab initio. 8 If assume consider argument original proposition, doubtful niceties tort initiated almost half centuries ago Six Carpenters, Coke 146(a), cited much determining rights comes quarter century too late: contention decided adversely McGuire 273 95, 98, 100, 259, 260, 261, 71 556, where Stone, speaking unanimous Court, said doctrine initio: 'This fiction, obviously invoked support policy penalizing unauthorized acts who authority law, applied rule liability civil actions against them. Its extension favored.' concluded resort 'a fiction whose origin, history, purpose do justify application right government make use involved.' This followed Zap 328 624, 629, 66 1277, 1279, 90 1477. 9 By same token, claim entrance fraud must rejected. Whether this, without affirmative misrepresentation, orthodox all clear. Prosser Torts, 18. rational rejects fine-spun doctrines exclusion evidence. further laundry, trespasser these aids overheard went verges frivolous. Only physical entry, either force, McDonald 335 451, 69 191, 93 153, unwilling submission authority, Johnson 333 10, 68 367, 92 436, or express Nueslein District Columbia, App.D.C. 85, 115 F.2d 690, problem before 10 relies cases relating more common clearly distinguishable problems tangible property unlawfully seized. Such may Amendment, even though itself subterfuge rather than force. States Jeffers, 342 48, 93; Gouled 255 298, 41 65 647 (the latter sharply limited Olmstead 277 438, page 463, 48 564, 567, 944). decisions inapposite field mechanical electronic devices designed overhear intercept least access post illegal methods. 11 urges reconsider Amendment intercepted conversations. theory since there involved, succeed persuade overturn leading holding wiretapping ban 944, it. need success attempt, unless situation treated wretapping. sufficient suggest most attenuated analogy wiretapping. talking confidentially indiscreetly trusted, overheard. due from transmitter receiver, sure, privacy eavesdropping open window. bifocals, glasses telescope magnify object witness' vision forbidden seizure, they focus knowledge supposes private indiscretions. It dubious service genuine liberties protected them bedfellows spurious improvised farfetched analogies liken connivance parties, unreasonable seizure. find here. 12 Nor facts Act. wires wireless. interference communications facility possessed entitled use. sending messages anybody using system Goldstein 114, 1000, 1312. 13 Finally, overruled else, means disciplining enforcement officers. Cf. McNabb 318 332, 63 608, 87 819. McNabb, that, defendants detained statute requiring prompt arraignment commissioner, confession during detention courts ground otherwise involuntary character. neither nor informer violated law; state shown here, not, render courts. 468, 569, 944. 14 constitutional statutory undermined, occasion evolved adopted practice exclusionary rules going beyond requirements provision. supra; Weeks 232 383, 34 341, 58 652. so doing, has, course, departed common-law admissible fact illegally obtained. departures primary evidentiary criteria relevancy trustworthiness justified some strong social policy. discussing rules, creation new ones, well remember remarks Stone Guire 99, 556: 'A criminal prosecution game checkmated lost merely officers played according rule.' 15 Rules evidence, except prescribed statute, formulated extent, sound administration law.' Zucker Whitridge, 205 N.Y. 50, 65, 98 N.E. 209, 213, L.R.A., N.S., 683. Courts deal frequently found unwise multiply occasions when attention trial diverted issue guilt someone else's misconduct obtaining They 'The underlying principle court, trying cause, will take notice witesses themselves papers articles personal material offered evidence.' People Adams, 176 351, 358, 636, 638, L.R.A. 406. However, procedure defendant protect advance returned unconstitutionally Silverthorne Lumber Co. 251 385, 40 182, 64 319. hold Constitution, remedy invoked. Exclusion based placed breach confidence above ordinary canons relevancy. Lee's statements provable exception hearsay rule. normal proof call conversation. speculate why called. seems unlikely very defects character blemishes record trust confidences jury distrust testimony. close cnough underworld serve bait, near design embrace confidante, vouch witness. Instead, think probably testimony probative value word 16 Society ill afford throw away produced falling out, jealousies, quarrels live outwitting law. Certainly foreclose turning state's denizens underworld. No good reason public occurs us deprived benefit confidante shady 17 trend recent years turn rigid incompetence, favor admitting allowing trier judge weight given As pointed out: "Indeed, admit witness stand presumably honest, appreciating sanctity oath, unaffected party result, free temptations interest. afraid intelligence jurors. last 50 wrought great change respects, today tendency enlarge domain competency, submit their consideration credibility matters heretofore ruled exclusion. partially legislation construction." Funk 290 376, 54 212, 78 369. informers, accessories, accomplices, false friends, betrayals 'dirty business' serious credibility. To extent do, broad latitude probe cross-examination issues submitted careful instructions. departs credibility, rests solely proposition shall arbitrarily penalized low morals informers. However individuals approve disapproval thought magnitude necessary exclude relevant justice better served stratagems regarded raising, asthis shall, matter refused hearing. 19 Jud gment affirmed. 20 BLACK believes exercising supervisory over courts, see 613, 819, challenged. FRANKFURTER, dissenting. 22 ought just charge having dictated 'odious doctrine,' Brandeis it, end justifies reprehensible means. legally disapprove morally, practical convenience, yield short-sighted view practicality. derives preoccupation episodic disregard long-run consequences. method chiefly exerts influence citizens, wisely Archbishop William Temple, 'the moral qualities exhibits own conduct.' 23 Loose talk war crime easily infuses psychology war. hardly conductive soundest employment process. needs effective penal code truest perspective prosecution's being loses game. event deemed dirty criminals outwitted contrast morality professed society immorality practiced behalf makes contempt Respect turned off hot-water faucet. 24 narrowest margin, put pale construction then, instead strength combatting crime, gone inefficiency inefficiency, corruption corruption. insight unerringly foresaw inevitability. progress science furnishing espionage likely stop wire tapping. Ways day developed government, removing secret drawers, reproduce enabled expose intimate occurrences home. Advances psychic related sciences exploring unexpressed beliefs, thoughts emotions.' 471, 474, 571, present how rapid advances available police intrusion into lives Constitution guard. 25 noteworthy although outlawed Congress legislatively Act 1934, 42 Stat. 1064, 1103, 605; Nardone 302 379, 275, 82 314; 308 338, 60 266, 84 307. What perhaps pervasive owe special obedience true violations widely disobedience. Westin, Wire-Tapping Problem, 52 Col.L.Rev. 165 (1952). Few sociological generalizations valid lawlessness begets lawlessness. 26 members vigorously urged clear scope prohibition sentimetalists criminals. Holmes, Just ice Brandeis, Butler Chief softies. choose, hardy philosophy life Army Potomac taught led Holmes deem less evil escape ignoble part.' supra, 470, 575. 27 Suppose easier prosecutors occasional heel. uncritical become rampant go unpunished. 28 first place, phenomena imbedded texture society. Equally deepseated causes sordid ineffective These outcroppings, considerable part, modern industrialism prevalent standards community, inadequacy early American methods machinery pursuit scientific inquiry treatment crime. 29 wait slow illuminating still dark. relax moment vigorous until society, advanced civilized nature, beget atmosphere environment shrink relative insignificance. deepest feeling giving legal sanction discloses lazy alert puts premium force fraud, imagination enterprise professional training. third degree, warrant, like, tolerated successful time busiest Attorney's office. experience Henry L. Stimson Southern compared happenings elsewhere, doubtless planted me deep short-cuts detection self-defeating immoral. 30 Sir James Fitzjames Stephen brings significant point: 31 'During discussions Indian Code Criminal Procedure 1872 observations occasionally lead native apply torture prisoners. An experienced officer observed, 'There laziness far pleasanter sit comfortably shade rubbing red pepper poor devil's eyes sun hunting me, I doubt truth.' Stephen, History Law England (1883), 442 note. Compare Evidence (1872). 32 And acted drawing softie, became bench. 33 Accordingly adhere views expressed 136, 996, forth dissenting opinions case. strongly underlined steady increase part officers, after dissenters forbid. Even basis prior feel bound dissent. content calling halt reached wrong road. my brother BURTON shows, now pushes lines legality drawn. encouragement lazy, immora does bode en forcement. checked 35 DOUGLAS, 36 powerful dissents Butler, tapping officials Fifth Amendments. constantly stirred increasing police. Fourteen later presented joined written Roberts, adhered case, refusing overrule various aspects appeared coming us. fully appreciate vice practices spawned Goldman. Reflection brought me. dissent espoused cause privacy—the let alone. wrote historic statement point view. improve 37 'When Amendments adopted, form theretofore taken' necessarily simple. Force violence then known man directly self-incrimination. compel individual testify—a compulsion effected, be, torture. secure possession incident breaking entry. Protection invasion sanctities man's home privacies life' provided specific language. Boyd 116 616, 630, 524, 746. 'time works changes, existence conditions purposes.' Subtler far-reaching invading government. Discovery invention possible stretching rack, obtain disclosure whispered closet. 38 'Moreover, 'in contemplation been, be.' emotions. 'That places liberty every hands petty officer' Otis lesser intrusions these. Lord Camden slighter seemed 'subversive comforts society.' Can affords protection invasions security? 39 makers undertook favorable happiness. recognized significance spiritual feelings intellect. knew pain, pleasure satisfactions things. sought Americans thoughts, emotions sensations. conferred, alone—the comprehensive valuded men. protect, right, unjustifiable individual, whatever employed, mut use, proceeding, ascertained Fifth. 'Experience teach guard government's purposes beneficent. Men born freedom naturally repel evil-minded rulers. greatest dangers lurk insidious encroachment men zeal, well-meaning understanding.' (277 473, 570.) applicable telephone also 'walky-talky' used nature instrument engineering develops important. controlling, decisive factor command reverse judgment. important pay lip people business'. dissenting, BURTON, whom FRANKFURTER concurs, 43 agree below surreptitiously introduced operating, warrant premises, admitted Amendment's searches seizures extends intangibles, spoken words. applying 652, primarily concerned is. 319; 690. 44 permission enter house, amounting search, conceal themselves, action. argued consented presence. overlooks concealed tuned. purposes, amounted bringing him. 45 generally sees hears house enter, premises. Hester 265 57, 445, 898. holds supplements hearing aid, enables hear distinctly, is, reaches whereever come. of, within, 1322. 46 lawfully testified he, himself, saw there. Yet, surreptitiously, permitted that. U.. 647; Col umbia, supra. Similarly, like conditions, concealed, excluded. substance, accomplished surreptitious introduction, which, picked transmitted transmitter, purpose, ear. While test draws narrow line ascertainable line. determined 'effects' or, words up. constitutionally inviolate 'house' person person, effects. inevitable between, hand, other, Drawing continuing thing direction emerges successive 193 306. 941, 560. probable Shortly began testify, counsel addressed court: '* * objection alleged Gim Gong presence.' describing Later, started describe said, objected to. At best insufficient preserve provision Wigmore Evidence, 18(C)(1). Some jurisdictions recognize avail proponent appeal appears face whatever, precise readily discernible. Sparks Territory Oklahoma, Cir., 146 F. confined plainly irrelevant. Where, collateral inadmissibility, addition relied involves interpretation specification buttressed uniform earliest stage litigation. light petitioner; colloquy indicates intended irrelevance. motions dismiss indictment each count, certain reference motion stage. aside verdict—but mention search—and points Appeals. Appeals, treat fully, Rule 52(b) Procedure, U.S.C., appellate 'plain error.' Though discretion point, poassed leads merits also. persons, houses, papers, effects, seizures, violated, Warrants issue, supported Oath affirmation, particularly searched, persons things seized.' U.S.Const., Amend. iv. authorized sender communication divulge publish existence, contents, purport, effect, meaning *.'

Category: 0