Document: 358 U.S. 307 79 S.Ct. 329 3 L.Ed.2d 327 James Alonzo DRAPER, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America. No. 136. Argued Dec. 11, 1958. Decided Jan. 26, 1959. Mr. Osmond K. Fraenkel, New York City, for petitioner. Leonard B. Sand, Washington D.C., respondent. Justice WHITTAKER delivered the opinion Court. 1 Petitioner was convicted knowingly concealing and transporting narcotic drugs in Denver, Colorado, violation 35 Stat. 614, as amended, 21 U.S.C. § 174, U.S.C.A. 174. His conviction based part on use evidence against him two "envelopes containing [865 grams of] heroin" a hypodermic syringe that had been taken from his person, following arrest, by arresting officer. Before trial, he moved to suppress having secured through an unlawful search seizure. After hearing, District Court found officer probable cause arrest petitioner without warrant ane subsequent seizure were therefore incident lawful overruled motion suppress. 146 F.Supp. 689. At offered and, over petitioner's renewed objection, received evidence, trial resulted, we have said, conviction. The Appeals affirmed conviction, 10 Cir., 248 F.2d 295, certiorari sought sole ground violated Fourth Amendment1 heroin vitiated We granted writ determine question. 357 935, 78 1386, 2 1549. at hearing not substantially disputed. It established one Marsh, federal agent with 29 years' experience, stationed Denver; Hereford engaged "special employee" Bureau Narcotics Denver about six months, time gave information Marsh regarding violations laws, which paid small sums money, always given be accurate reliable. On September 3, 1956, told Draper (petitioner) recently up abode stated address "was peddling narcotics several addicts" city. Four days later, 7, "that gone Chicago day before [September 6] train [and] going bring back three ounces would return either morning 8th or 9th also train." detailed physical description clothing wearing,2 said carrying "a tan zipper bag," habitually "walked real fast." 8, police went Union Station kept watch all incoming trains Chicago, but they did see anyone fitting given. Repeating process 9, saw exact attributes wearing precise described Hereford, alight start walking "fast" toward exit. He bag right hand left thrust raincoat pocket. accompanied officer, overtook, stopped arrested him. They then searched clutched pocket, bag. took into custody. died four after testify motion. 26 (Supp. V) 7606, added 104(a) Narcotic Control Act 70 570, 7607, provides, pertinent part: 4 "The Commissioner * agents, may— 5 6 "(2) make arrests any law United States relating where is committed presence person making such has reasonable grounds believe committing violation." 7 crucial question us whether knowledge related facts circumstances "probable cause" within meaning Amendment, "reasonable grounds" 104(a), supra,3 laws. If it did, though validly made properly competently trial. Weeks v. States, 232 383, 392, 34 341, 344, 58 L.Ed. 652; Carroll 267 132, 158, 45 280, 287, 69 543; Agnello 269 20, 30, 46 4, 5, 145; Giordenello 480, 483, 1245, 1248, 1503. 8 does dispute this analysis decision. Rather, contends (1) "hearsay" because hearsay legally competent criminal could considered, should put out mind, assessing warrant, (2) that, even if lawfully Marsh's held insufficient show violating laws justify warrant. 9 Considering first contention, find entirely error. Brinegar 338 160, 172-173, 1302, 1309 93 1879, settled other way. There, similar situation, convict contended factors inadmissibility [for] purposes proving guilt deprive[d] whole sufficiency *." Id., 172, 1309. (Emphasis added.) But Court, rejecting said: "[T]he so-called distinction places wholly unwarranted emphasis upon criterion admissibility prove accused's guilt, relied cause. That emphasis, think, goes much too far confusing disregarding difference between what required case search. approaches requiring (if practical effect require) proof sufficient establish order substantiate existence There large things proved [guilt cause], well tribunals them, like quanta modes them."4 pages page Nor can agree second contention may coming employed purpose whose reliable, clear derelict duties pursued it. And when, pursuing information, man, described, very place walk pace station exit, personally verified every facet except accomplished mission surely, bit Hereford's being thus verified, remaining unverified information—that him—was likewise true. 11 "In dealing cause, name implies, deal probabilities. These are technical; factual considerations everyday life prudent men, legal technicians, act." supra, 175, 1310. Probable exists "the their [the officers'] reasonably trustworthy [are] themselves man caution belief that" offense committed. 162, 288.5 12 under here, lawful, seizure, valid.6 follows denied seized 13 Affirmed. 14 CHIEF JUSTICE FRANKFURTER no consideration decision case. 15 DOUGLAS, dissenting. 16 Decisions Amendment,1 long view, protection citizen letter spirit Amendment seem require. One reason, I wherever culprit caught red-handed, leading cases, difficult adopt enforce rule turn loose. A protective law-abiding citizens apt flourish its advocates usually criminals. Yet fashion innocent guilty alike. word informer present legal, protect who, acting it, hauled off jail. 17 Of course, education receive mystery stories television shows teaches happened efficient work. tipped will step train. meeting No been—or, be—obtained. arrest; pocket carried. This familiar pattern crime detection dinned public consciousness correct one. is, however, distorted reflection constitutional system supposed live. 18 With due deference, here mere requirement law, governing cases. must committing" law. officers known them take oath magistrate crime. know conclusion; nor seek were. acted solely informer's word. In my view enough. 19 permits felonies, distinguished misdemeanors, there believing (Carroll 157, 286, 543), grew need safety prompt arrests. Id. Yet, apart those cases warrants, exception, our society. Lord Chief Pratt Wilkes Wood, How.St.Tr. 1153, condemned only odious general warrant,2 blank, scheme seizures searches3 discretionary power" act "wherever suspicions chance fall"—a practice denounced "totally subversive liberty subject." 1167. See III May, Constitutional History England, c. XI. written 1762, "To custody, deprive liberty, some seeming foundation least, step, inconsistent wisdom sound policy." Life Political Writings John Wilkes, p. 372. 20 George 1777 pressed bill allow suspicion treason words "suspected of" these addressed himself Parliament. "There syllable Bill degree probability attending suspicion. Is possible, Sir, give more despotic powers bashaw Turkish empire? What security devoted objects malice prejudiced individual, wicked *?" Speeches 102. complaints directed side water. Hamilton wrote arbitrary imprisonments" favorite most formidable instruments tyranny." writs assistance, Otis proclaimed,4 vicious same way since showing magistrate, allowed Otis' protest eloquent; lost speech, rallied opinion. "Then there," Adams, child Independence born." Works Adams (1856), 248. 22 attitude Americans searches greatly influenced lettres de cachet extensively used France.5 emanating King countersigned minister directing immediate imprisonment exile. ministers issued manner, often request head noble family punish deviant son relative. Mirabeau, Victim Lettres Cachet, Am.Hist.Rev. 19. who so might remain incarcerated indefinitely, available release. "Since action government secret, friends whither vanished, ignorant arrest." Camb.Mod.Hist. 50. Eighteenth Century arose issuing filled local mandatory. Thus 1770 your realm guaranteed sacrificed revenge. For great enough beyond hate minister, clerk." Encyc.Soc.Sci. 138. As Blackstone wrote, "* once power any, highest, imprison arbitrarily whomever thought proper, (as France daily practiced crown,) soon end rights immunities." Commentaries (4th ed. Colley)* 135. 23 Virginia Declaration Rights, adopted June 12, 1776, included forerunner Amendment:6 24 "That whereby messenger commanded suspected fact committed, seize persons named, offence particularly supported grievous oppressive, ought granted." Section 10. (Italics 25 "supported evidence" deeply rooted history. inconceivable days, when privacy cherished, case—would whispered charges accusations, lieu acts, main complaint age. Frisbie Butler, Kirby, Conn., 214 (1785-1788), decided 1787, illustrates, mood matter justice peace pork cellar, stating, "said Butler suspects Benjamin Frisbie, Harwinton, hath pork." court appeal reversed judgment holding inter alia "contained direct charge theft, averment defendant guilty." 215. Nothing id shown instant case—suspicion informer, officers. obtain belief. arrest. provided itself. When Constitution adoption, objections contained Rights. Patrick Henry complained particular provision seizures: 27 places, commission fact, crime, prohibited. admitted, seized, property taken, reason. Every thing sacred ransacked strong power. infinitely reason dread warrants than there, confined, quickly obtained habeas corpus. living many hundred miles judges get prison writ." Elliot's Debates, 588. 28 determination American enforcement abate adoption Rights applicable Federal Government. Conner Commonwealth, Bin., Pa., 38, stating "strong suspect" accused "common rumor report" illegal identical relevant Amendment. "It true, insisting oath, felons sometimes escape. framers constitution; better escape, individual subject vexation oppression." 43-44. Grumon Raymond, Con.. 40, "several suspected" stealing flour concealed Hyatt's house flour. void, knew "no persons, idea endured moment." 44. Fisher McGirr, Gray, Mass.,1; Lippman People, 175 Ill. 101, 51 N.E. 872; Somerville Richards, 37 Mich. 299; Commonwealth Dana, Metc., Mass., 329, 335-336. background Professors Hogan Snee Georgetown University wrote: 30 borne mind alone illegal. indisputable grave implications number traditional investigative practices. round-up dragnet suspicion, questioning, investigation open prohibited undeniable sanctioned position investigate detect easily, efficiently, economically, dispatch. equally society cannot confer ripping away fabric seeks maximum citizen. finger point certain race, age group locale. Commonly extends crimes past. Arrest collides violently basic human liberty. tolerated willing concede history experience teach inevitable accoutrements 47 Geo.L.J. 1, 22. 31 Down decisions closely heeded warning. So ascertain bolstered evidence7 never approved Whether goods, premises, citizen, judicial inquiry reasonableness inferences drawn suspicious unlawful. Evidence necessary. attendant rise least guilt. Locke Cranch 339, 364; THompson, Wall. 155, 55; Stacey Emery, 97 642, 1035; Director General Railroads Kastenbaum, 263 25, 44 52, 68 146; 159-162, 287-288, Di Re, 332 581, 591-592, 222, 227, 92 210; 165-171, 1305-1308, 1879. 32 suggestive variously stated: 33 "If prudence sufficient." 645, 1035. good faith constitute grounded agent, reasonable." 28, 53. Even sustained Johnson 333 10, 16, 367, 436, tip actually smelled opium room; breaking accused. smell tangible report someone commit sitting car, counterfeit coupons passing justified absence shred implicating defendant, third person. Giacona State, Tex.Cr.App., 298 S.W.2d 587. potent involved 36 quite saying admissible e.g., consort peddlers, surreptitious package, intercepted message suggesting activities, events People Rios, Cal.2d 297, 294 P.2d 39. But, takes own hands him.8 acts observed consistent innocence enough, implicated alone. Baumboy STates, 512. standard set statutes both grounds," protected innocent.9 important strictly enforced, lest revert accusations people. lower guards do today, risk role informer—odious history—once supreme. think Poldo 55 866, 869. "Mere enough; represented testimony senses good-faith law." Here evidence—apart informer—that walked fast carried nothing informer. conceivable me granted. 486, 1250, 1053. had. swear accusation. lay knowledge. present, belief, disclosed. issue more.10 supra. lowering allowing leeway grant magistrate. 38 deference break tradition sustain 229, turns up. bad starts change character success." committed.11 provides: people secure houses, papers, effects, unreasonable seizures, shall violated, Warrants issue, Oath affirmation, describing searched, seized." Negro light brown complexion, years age, feet inches tall, weighed 160 pounds, colored raincoat, slacks black shoes. terms Act, substantial equivalents meaning. Walker, 246 519, 526; cf. Bianco, 189 716, 720. Heitner, cir., 149 105, 106, Judge Learned Hand evidence; indeed, 'reasonable cause' necessary support demand strictness unless cut down possibly perform duties." Grau 287 124, 128, 53 77 212, contains dictum "A jury (Giles 284 F. 208; Wagner F.(2d) 581) principles underlying proposition thoroughly discredited rejected 172-174, 1309-1310 notes 13. courts followed now case, Simmons 85, 88; Worthington 166 557, 564-565; Reeve Howe, 619, 622; Novero, 275, 279, weight authority See, Wrightson 98 U.S.App.D.C. 377, 236 672; supra; 716; Wisniewski 825; 519; Mueller Powell, 203 797. Note, Harv.L.Rev. 1307, 1310-1311, criticizing dictum. To are: Husty 282 694, 700-701, 240, 241-242, 75 629; Dumbra 268 435, 441, 546, 548, 1032; Steele 498, 504-505, 414, 416-417, 757; 176, 1310, 1311. declared House Commons 1766. Hansard, Parl.Hist.Eng., 207. nameless vehicle intruding subjects valid basis offenses. declaring plaintiff's libel, Secretary State named author alleged libels, Camden "we safely say country defendants done; was, destroy comforts society." Entick Carrington, Wils.K.B. 291. Quincy's Mass.Rep., 1761-1882, Appendix I, 469. "Experience taught [to arrests, seizures] abuse. notable historical instance cachet. Our framed during seethings French Revolution. impossible us." Innelli, 286 731. Maryland (1776), Art. XXIII; Massachusetts (1780), Part First, XIV; Hampshire (1784), XIX; North Carolina XI; Pennsylvania X. Hale, traced evolution Pleas Crown (1st Am. 1847), states while others, can, own. puts A, suspecting B "on felon, asks duty follows: "He inquire examine causes tho yet carry constable, become A." 91. says "upon seeing tried away. cited L.Ed 629. each made, perhaps Maghan Jerome, 67 App.D.C. 88 1001; Pritchett Sullivan, 182 480. Ravenscroft Casey, 139 776. Gleason, Kan. 245, P. 363; Smith, Mo.App., 262 S.W. 65, arising state constitutions provisions comparable Supreme South "Some deplored transportation whiskey; loss Common event be, serious person; accomplishes conformity land. reasons this; avoid bloodshed, preserve Obedience bond society, exempt mandates. possession liquor body offense; proven forcible defendant's veritable key offense. fundamental force rather another guilt." Town Blacksburg Beam, 104 S.C. 146, 148, S.E. L.R.A. 1916E, 714.

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