Document: 487 U.S. 533 108 S.Ct. 2529 101 L.Ed.2d 472 Michael F. MURRAY, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. James D. CARTER, Petitioner, v. UNITED Nos. 86-995, 86-1016. Argued Dec. 8, 1987. Decided June 27, 1988. Syllabus While surveilling petitioner Murray and others suspected of illegal drug activities, federal agents observed both petitioners driving vehicles into, later out of, a warehouse, and, upon petitioners' exit, saw that the warehouse contained tractor-trailer rig bearing long container. Petitioners turned over their to other drivers, who were in turn followed ultimately arrested, lawfully seized found contain marijuana. After receiving this information, several forced way into plain view numerous burlap-wrapped bales. The left without disturbing bales did not return until they had obtained warrant search warehouse. In applying for warrant, mention prior entry or include any recitations observations made during entry. Upon issuance reentered 270 marijuana evidence crime. District Court denied pretrial motion suppress evidence, rejecting arguments was invalid because inform Magistrate about warrantless entry, tainted by subsequently convicted conspiracy possess distribute drugs. Appeals affirmed, assuming purposes its decision on suppression question first unlawful. Held: Fourth Amendment does require initially discovered police officers' private premises, if is also pursuant valid wholly independent initial Pp. 536-544. (a) "independent source" doctrine permits introduction during, as consequence an unlawful search, but independently from lawful activities untainted illegality. Silverthorne Lumber Co. United States, 251 385, 40 182, 64 L.Ed. 319. There no merit contention allowing apply rather than limiting it will encourage routinely enter premises warrant. 536-541. (b) Although agents' knowledge assuredly acquired at time acquisition result earlier source allows admission testimony knowledge. This same analysis applies tangible States Silvestri, 787 F.2d 736 (CA1, 1986), unpersuasive insofar distinguishes between intangible evidence. ultimate whether fact genuinely information issue. would have been case seek prompted what seen presented affected his issue Because explicitly find sought entered cases are remanded determination warrant-authorized sense herein described. 541-544. 803 20 vacated remanded. SCALIA, J., delivered opinion Court, which REHNQUIST, C.J., WHITE BLACKMUN, JJ., joined. MARSHALL, filed dissenting opinion, STEVENS O'CONNOR, joined, post, p. ---. STEVENS, BRENNAN KENNEDY, took part consideration cases. A. Raymond Randolph, Washington, D.C., petitioners. Roy T. Englert, Jr., respondent. Justice SCALIA Court. 1 Segura 468 796, 104 3388, 82 599 (1984), we held those when executing basis unconnected with these consolidated faced whether, again portion such must be suppressed. 2 * Both arise conviction Murray, Carter, Insofar relevant our purposes, facts follows: Based received informants, law enforcement co-conspirators. At 1:45 p.m. April 6, 1983, drive truck Carter green camper, South Boston. When drove minutes later, within two individuals long, dark camper seized. 3 converged Boston They unoccupied, bales, kept under surveillance, reenter rely issued—at 10:40 p.m., approximately eight hours after entry—the immediately notebooks listing customers whom destined. 4 Before trial, moved motion, No. 83-102-S (Mass., 23, 1983), App. Pet. Cert. 44a-45a. First Circuit Moscatiello, 771 589 (1985). then separately petitions certiorari, granted,1 480 916, 107 1368, 94 685 (1987), here. II 5 exclusionary rule prohibits materials Weeks 232 383, 34 341, 58 652 (1914), concerning Silverman 365 505, 81 679, 734 (1961). Beyond that, derivative testimonial, product primary otherwise indirect up point connection becomes "so attentuated dissipate taint," Nardone 308 338, 60 266, 268, 84 307 (1939). See Wong Sun 371 471, 484-485, 83 407, 415-16, 9 441 (1963). 6 Almost simultaneously development rule, quarter century, announced has come known doctrine. 392, 183, 319 (1920). That doctrine, applied only through violations Fifth Sixth violations, recently described 7 "[T]he interest society deterring conduct public having juries receive all probative crime properly balanced putting same, worse, position error misconduct occurred. . challenged source, exclusion put worse absent violation." Nix Williams, 467 431, 443, 2501, 2509, 377 (1984) 8 dispute here scope contend search. Government argues We think Government's better support precedent policy. Our used concept more general specific sense. identifies fashion evidence-gathering activity. Thus, where given investigators x y, z learned means, can said admissible derived source." how term 3380, (1984). case, unlawfully defendant's apartment remained there obtained. admissibility while waiting before us, id., 802-803, n. 4, S.Ct., 384, execution source," 813-814, 3389-90. Wade, 388 218, 240-242, 87 1926, 1939-40, 18 1149 (1967); Costello 265, 280, 534, 542, 551 (1961); supra, 267. 10 original use term, however, important cases, specific. It originally context, Holmes, reference particular category identical acquired—that is, example just given, y source: 11 "The essence provision forbidding certain merely so shall all. Of course mean thus become sacred inaccessible. If them gained may proved like others." Lumber, [251 U.S.] 183. 12 As observed, "[i]n classic situation, considered cleanly arrives 736, 739 (1986). assumed application (in context) supra. incriminating statements violation right counsel led victim's body. body well, itself applicable. held, nonetheless body, called off discovery produced statements. Id., U.S., 448-450, 2511-12. "inevitable discovery" obviously assumes validity unlawfully. make admit aborted, exclude continued inevitable distinct requirements, reality extrapolation doctrine: Since should inevitably discovered. 13 Petitioners' asserted policy excluding contrary remove deterrence to, indeed positively encourage, searches. see incentives, officers sure expect there. not, spared themselves trouble getting warrant; get despite Brief 42. incentives differently. An officer probable cause sufficient obtain foolish manner. By doing so, he risk unseen, since action add normal burden convincing magistrate much onerous trial court either magistrate's grant it. Part III, infra. Nor added incentive whatever finds cannot establish magistrate.2 14 possible read briefs asserting narrow previously indirectly call "primary evidence," itself. addition finding precedent, 182 (referring specifically search), strange distinction produce results relation policies rule. mean, example, government's existence condition dead sources, excluded government apartment; notation buried location, producing consequential corpse. III 15 To present cases: Knowledge But reason why apply. Invoking (and society) occupied occurred, one. 2508. 16 true respect corpse Nix, abandoned discerned difference tainted, objects "once reseized returning control." F.2d, 739. seems reseizure already impossible rediscovery rest metaphysical analysis, profit activity, neither placed occupied. So seizure earlier, one (which well difficult goods police's possession) 17 question, therefore, entry,3 On following: "[W]e absolutely contributed slightest occurred 19 "This clear imagined contraband totally irrelevant securing successful ensued. causal link court's refusal suppress." 603, 604. 21 provide emphatic position, function determine facts, do Appeals' conclusions supported adequate findings. reveal Magistrate, 43a, recitation concedes brief. 17, 5. sure, purpose "to guard against destruction possibly critical 42a, could perhaps infer planned "critical evidence" inference enough justify conclusion Court's findings amounted source. 22 Accordingly, vacate judgment remand instructions 23 ordered. 24 KENNEDY 25 O'CONNOR join, dissenting. 26 today holds exception admitting "rediscovered" team I believe decision, failing guarantees subsequent was, fact, emasculates Warrant Clause undermines therefore dissent. 27 stated frequently principally designed deter Amendment. See, e.g., Leon, 897, 906, 3405, 3411, 677 (1984); Elkins 364 206, 217, 80 1437, 1444, 1669 (1960). Amendment, "compel[s] constitutional guaranty effectively available way, removing disregard it." 1444. crafted exceptions furthered exclusion. recognizes, "allows means 2508, exception, primarily based practical circumstances beneficial deterrent effect future too slight social cost criminal trial. 444-446, 2509-10; cf. 906-909, 3411-12. "wholly of" violation, arguably officer's commit search.1 28 Given underlying justification inquiry exception's keep sight facing engage conduct. proper guidelines application, divined factual vacuum; instead, informed nature circumstances. holding loses moorings creates affirmative unconstitutional exception. 29 setting instant straightforward. Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) stopped DEA Supervisor Garibotto assistant attorney returned surveillance hours. demands door opened went unanswered, open tire iron. A number No persons inside, view. ordered everyone Agents some later. interim. 30 undisputed effort begun prepare affidavit, according FBI Agent Cleary, supervised FBI's involvement, even engaged discussions obtaining 52. affidavit prepared Keaney, tactical control agents, participated nor cite determining admissible, justified exigent violated 31 Under "reseized" second severely Indeed, affirmatively encourages clear. Obtaining inconvenient consuming. Even worthwhile Probable less certainty, many "confirmatory" searches present, saving discovered, shield taint know advance little lose gain forgoing bother undertaking 32 "see[s] differently." Ante, 540. view, today's searches, "his Ibid. provides hint actually seem significant officers. committing factors central determination. First, simple matter, done influenced Second, makes entirely evaluation intent. normally verify, defendant rebut, assertion always intended regardless search.2 conducting direct intent, relegated simply arguing believed. circumstances, litigation hardly all; significantly dampen search.3 33 strong eliminating scrutinize closely cases; guarantee requires undermine When, here, involved danger "independence" illusory, notwithstanding assertions contrary. crucial premise exception—complete independence—be clearly established reliance intent conducted insufficient legal unaffected ensure independent, focus, "demonstrated historical capable ready verification impeachment." 445, 5, facts" supporting threat great allow exception.4 lends easy abuse, offers bypass requirement assessed neutral detached invade individual's privacy.5 35 Segura, expressly distinguished provided uncovered second, 36 readily lessen contemplating excluded. Chief BURGER, joined ruling detract effects "officers illegally recognize discover suppressed, case." 812, 3389. argue above, extending cover eradicate remaining Moreover, desire place, understand 37 sum, very participate thereafter Any intolerable respectfully 38 39 join MARSHALL's explaining majority's extension "emasculates searches," ante, page, remain convinced unacceptable because, then, obvious "provide privacy home," 817, 3392 (dissenting opinion). fear taken another unfortunate step down path system "law unfettered process concerns." Patterson Illinois, 285, 305, 2389, 2402, 261 (STEVENS, dissenting). due course, trust pause remember "the efforts courts officials bring guilty punishment, praiseworthy are, aided sacrifice principles years endeavor suffering resulted embodiment fundamental land." 393-394, 344, (1914). raised claim Speedy Trial Act claim. granted petitions, below, reconsideration light Henderson 476 321, 106 1871, 90 299 1138, 2241, 688 remand, rejected reexamine question. writs limited MARSHALL argues, effect, historically verifiable demonstrating search—e.g., entering premises—we adopt per se inadmissibility. 549. prophylatic necessary. say district satisfied give dispositive assurances point. Where render implausible, might note pointing "search first, later" mentality. "in apprehend participants inside evidence." 42a. misjudged (the reach we), nothing suggest anything worth for. [is] search." Post, 548, 2; 549—550, 4. "relevant" ask happened occurred—not something else happened. say, counts actual hypothetical aborted Only needed assure comes illegality; go further expand existing clearest separate line investigation, shielded gathered turns separate, doubt connected violation. anticipate investigation leading Such intent-based dubious value reasons well. often significance question: Officers intend uncovers contraband, decide spent addition, fails describe evaluate fully whose relevant? Intentions differ among supervisory initiate contrasted stressed "who opportunity rarely, ever, calculate discovered." 2510. Unlike knowing progress conduct, least complete "independence." conclude assume gone sworn building, scenario possible, plausible chosen movement ever admitted investigative pursuing investigation.

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