Document: 442 U.S. 753 99 S.Ct. 2586 61 L.Ed.2d 235 State of ARKANSAS, Petitioner,v.Lonnie James SANDERS. No. 77-1497. Argued Feb. 27, 1979. Decided June 20, Syllabus Acting on an informant's information that respondent, upon arriving at airport, would be carrying a green suitcase containing marihuana, Little Rock, Ark., police officers placed the airport under surveillance. They watched as respondent retrieved from airline baggage service, it into trunk taxi, and entered vehicle with companion. When taxi drove away, two gave pursuit stopped several blocks requesting driver to open vehicle's trunk. Without asking permission or his companion, opened unlocked discovered marihuana. Before trial in state court charge possession marihuana intent deliver, moved suppress evidence obtained suitcase, contending search violated rights Fourth Fourteenth Amendments. The denied motion was convicted. Arkansas Supreme Court reversed, ruling should have been suppressed because through unlawful suitcase. Held: In absence exigent circumstances, are required obtain warrant before searching luggage taken automobile properly searched for contraband. Cf. United States v. Chadwick, 433 1, 97 2476, 53 538. Pp. 757-766. (a) ordinary case, private property must both reasonable pursuant issued warrant. mere reasonableness search, assessed light surrounding is not substitute judicial Amendment. P. 758. (b) "automobile exception" requirement, set forth Carroll States, 267 132, 45 280, 69 L.Ed. 543, its progeny, will extended warrantless one's personal merely located lawfully by police. Luggage common repository effects, therefore inevitably associated expectation privacy. Once seized automobile, extent mobility no way affected place which taken; accordingly, general rule there greater need searches automobiles than other places. Similarly, highway necessarily attended any lesser privacy locations. Where—as present case—the police, without endangering themselves risking loss evidence, detained one suspected criminal activity secured they delay thereof until after approval has obtained. 761-766. 262 Ark. 595, 559 S.W.2d 704, affirmed. Joseph H. Purvis, petitioner, pro hac vice. Jack T. Lassiter, respondent. Mr. Justice POWELL delivered opinion Court. 1 This case presents question whether, We took this writ certiorari resolve some apparent misunderstanding application our decision 538 (1977), automobiles.1 2 * On April 23, 1976, Officer David Isom Police Department received word informant 4:35 afternoon arrive aboard American Airlines flight gate Municipal Airport Rock. According informant, Both knew well, January 1976 had given Rock led respondent's arrest conviction tip, As predicted, duly arrived 1. deposited hand waiting taxicab, returned claim area, met man whom subsequently identified Rambo. While Rambo waited, service matching described informant. Respondent companion went outside, where he put luggage. waited short while then joined placing vehicle. 3 away Rambo, fellow and, help patrol car, airport. At request vehicle, found either what proved 9.3 pounds packaged 10 plastic bags. 4 October 14, were charged deliver violation Ark.Stat.Ann. § 82-2617 (1976).2 trial, held hearing 31, 1977, suppression explanation. After jury February 3, sentenced years prison fined $15,000. 5 appeal reversed conviction, 704 (1977). Relying supra, Coolidge New Hampshire, 403 443, 91 2022, 29 564 (1971), concluded generally supported "probable cause coupled circumstances." 599, S.W.2d, 706. ample probable officers' belief contraband contained searched. wholly lacking, however, circumstance justifying failure secure With control occupants, danger contents rendered unavailable due legal process. concluded, therefore, "nothing circumstances lend credence assertion impracticality obtaining warrant." Id., 600, 706.3 II 6 Although principles applicable claims Amendment violations well settled, litigation over requests highly relevant continues occupy much attention courts all levels federal judiciary. Courts law enforcement officials often find difficult discern proper these individual cases, giving rise can vary almost infinitely. Moreover, apparently small difference factual situation frequently viewed controlling determining rights. example. Only Terms ago, we locked footlocker could warrant, even though loaded parked curb. earlier hand, sustained constitutionality their become known requirement. See, e. g., Chambers Maroney, 399 42, 90 1975, 26 419 (1970); 543 (1925). thus presented task whether falls Chadwick Chambers/Carroll side line. sense line-drawing process, guided established principles. 7 commence summary protects security persons important ways. First, guarantees "[t]he right people persons, houses, papers, against unreasonable seizures." addition, interpreted include requirement normally performed compliance Warrant Clause.4 Mincey Arizona, 437 385, 390, 98 2408, 2412, 57 290 (1978); U.S., 9, S.Ct., 2481; District Court, 407 297, 317, 92 2125, 2136, 32 752 (1972); Katz 389 347, 357, 88 507, 514, 19 576 (1967); Agnello 269 33, 46 4, 6, 70 145 See supra. said 481, 2046: 8 "The valued part constitutional decades, determined result scores cases country. It inconvenience somehow 'weighed' efficiency. is, be, working machinery government, operating matter course check 'well-intentioned but mistakenly overzealous executive who system enforcement." prominent decisions reflects "basic doctrine freedoms best preserved separation powers division functions among different branches government." 2137. By requiring conclusions concerning scope "be drawn neutral detached magistrate instead being judged officer engaged competitive enterprise ferreting out crime," Johnson 333 10, 68 367, 369, 436 (1948), minimize risk assertions authority. McDonald 335 451, 455-456, 191, 193, 93 153 (1948).5 9 Nonetheless, exceptions These public interest flexibility valid prerequisite search. Martinez-Fuerte, 428 555, 96 3074, 3081, 49 1116 (1976). Thus, few "jealously carefully drawn"6 provide those societal costs such destruction outweigh reasons prior recourse magistrate. 318, But each exception invariably impinges protective purpose Amendment, situations may conducted delineated "the burden seeking exemption show it." Jeffers, 342 48, 51, 72 93, 95, 59 (1951). Chimel California, 395 752, 762, 89 2034, 2039, 23 685 (1969); 514. limited reach necessary accommodate needs society. 393, 2414; 15, 2485; 455, 2032. One Constitution does require when stop street believe contains crime. 561-562, 3084-3085; Ortiz, 422 891, 896, 95 2585, 2588, 623 (1975); Texas White, 423 67, 68, 304, 305, 209 (1975). 153, 285: 11 "[T]he guaranty freedom seizures construed, practically since beginning Government, recognizing between store, dwelling house structure respect official readily obtained, ship, motor boat, wagon goods, practicable . ."7 12 There essentially distinction property. repeatedly recognized, inherent makes impracticable 12, 2484; 49-50, 1980; configuration, use, regulation dilute exists differently situated Rakas Illinois, 439 128, 155, 421, 436, 58 387 (1978) (POWELL, J., concurring); supra; South Dakota Opperman, 364, 368, 3092, 3096, 1000 (1976); Cardwell Lewis, 417 583, 590, 94 2464, 2469, 41 325 (1974) (plurality opinion); Cady Dombrowski, 413 433, 441-442, 2523, 2528, 37 706 (1973); Almeida-Sanchez 266, 279, 2535, 2541, 596 (1973) concurring). III 13 argues progeny.8 acted properly—indeed commendably—in apprehending A previously reliable provided detailed account expected arrival Airport, accurate every detail, including color Having driven justified stopping spot, seizing 52, 1981. oral argument, conceded seizure constitutionally unobjectionable. Tr. Oral Arg. 30, 44-46. 14 only question, rather immediately it, along station lawful declined invitation extend luggage, noting neither policies supporting applies Here, exclusively within time Consequently, "there slightest [the luggage] removed obtained." 13, 2484. And, observed Ibid. 15 argues, nevertheless, proper, street. effect, us allow everything itself. noted above, virtually case.9 contends, remained curb argument made applicable. occasion stopped. Rather, date involved integral automobile. 366, 3095 (glove compartment); 305 (passenger 437, 2526 (trunk); 44, 1977 (concealed compartment dashboard); 136, 281 (behind upholstering seats). 16 conclude failed carry demonstrating automobiles. closed mobile rides. exigency point search—after object securely control.10 did here, taken.11 Accordingly places.12 17 less inclined private, possessions carried transported means temporarily checked stored. Indeed, very serve items wishes transport them.13 Accordingly, do apply justification extension progeny police.14 18 sum, hold same degree insofar entitled actions highway. way, suspects review fully protected. judgment 20 Affirmed. 21 Chief BURGER, STEVENS joins, concurring judgment. 22 I concur Court's cannot join unnecessarily broad opinion, seems treat if "automobile" case. Because duty opening clear essence holding legitimate accompanying person; diminished simply owner's occurs place. Whether arrested hotel lobby, railroad terminal, street, owner expect not, consent, exposed demand If contraband, many might choose consent obviate securing release. innocent, prefer stand so onerous command suspension once receptacle here Sanders' arrest. 24 breadth repeated references arrest, lead reader believe—as dissenters do—that involves ante, 762-765, n. 14. not. carried, locus relationship purely coincidental, Chadwick. fact resting turn say more. 25 somewhere know example, inside piece trunk, glove compartment, concealed car's structure. am sure stronger weaker otherwise permissible. me better await decided. dissent complains adopt "clear" rule, presumably capable resolving future litigation. That lament, however desirable fashion universal prescription governing myriad arise. construing Constitution, writing statute manual officers. My disagreement dissenters. Our institutional practice, based hard experience, refrain deciding questions facts case; risks formulating rules broader applied. Ashwander TVA, 297 288, 346-348, 56 466, 482-483, 80 688 (1936). 27 BLACKMUN, REHNQUIST dissenting. 28 illustrates difficulties confusion spawned continue spawn. For stated id., 18-22 24, 2487-2489 2490, feel wrong. today goes farther down road, undermines exception, purporting clarify occasioned creates, my view, officers, prosecutors, activity, course, themselves. Still hanging limbo, probably soon litigated, briefcase, wallet, package, paper bag, kind container. 30 unpersuaded casual statement, 762 factually similar "in critical respects." Even accepting good law, this, me, defendants arrested, 200-pound, double-locked seized, locker stationary sufficiently attenuated Government chose argue 11, 2483. contrast, taxicab busy height late traffic. narcotics. briefly examined inside. vigorously contended throughout proceedings permissible exception.1 31 agree. "contraband goods illegally warrant," 285, (1925), then, containers like transporting mobile. And car significantly To sure, acknowledged 19, 2487, impounding intrusive alternative spot. distinguished "lesser" intrusion "greater" automobiles, 51-52, 1981, (1970), subject custodial Robinson, 414 218, 235, 467, 476, 38 427 (1973).2 see reason impose here. Given significant encroachment interests entailed property, additional regarded incidental. protection minimal. Since hypothesis, seize assume routinely forthcoming overwhelming majority cases. Finally, carving special type others, untoward justice systems country terms added uncertainty.3 33 impractical nature line drawing brought focus places himself position policeman confronting approaching divide world three groups. (1969), objects occupants' immediate control, cause. itself, entire interior area searched, suitcase-like outside 34 opaqueness "principles" underlying Amendments, created concerned, illustrated. Suppose portable luggage-container-rack affixed top Is arresting able theory remove take 200-pound ? Or suppose seated front seat rests back seat. Chadwick-Sanders apply? opens finds array containers—an orange crate, lunch bucket, attache duffelbag, cardboard box, backpack, totebag, bag. Which immediately, "personal" impounded warrant? problems distinguishing "luggage" "some automobile," 763; "immediate control" arrestee not; "personal luggage" "containers packages" most curiously 764-765 legion. lines make heightened possibilities error mean convictions overturned, again excluded, guilty free return little gain precise clearly understood analysis. 35 clear-cut effect Chambers. 21-22, 2488-2489, (dissenting opinion). Such approach simplify procedure seriously derogating values protected Amendment's prohibition seizures. Compare Finnegan, 568 F.2d 637, 641-642 (CA9 1977), Stevie, 582 1175, 1178-1179 (CA8 1978) (en banc). addition ounce heroin hidden headquarters. also deliver. Immediately counts, severed heroin-possession count later trial. "With safely immobilized, undertake 601, 707. rejected State's contention areas, homes. suitcases, unlike customarily repositories effects. Clause provides "no Warrants shall issue cause, Oath affirmation, particularly describing things seized." Mapp Ohio, 367 643, 81 1684, 1081 (1961); Wolf Colorado, 338 25, 1359, 1782 (1949). refer Arkansas. drawn, premises product large colonists' resentment writs assistance subjected English. 8, 2481, (1977); J. Landynski, Search Seizure (1966); N. Lasson, History Development 51-78 (1937). Frankfurter far suggest abuses "so deeply felt Colonies potent causes Revolution." Rabinowitz, 339 56, 69, 430, 653 (1950) Jones 357 493, 499, 78 1253, 1257, 1514 (1958). willingness excuse spontaneous road called although whenever 461-462, 2035, (1971) ("The 'automobile' talisman whose presence fades disappears"). Moylan, Automobile Exception: What not—A Rationale Clearer Label, Mercer L.Rev. 987 concedes Brief standing challenge Simmons 390 377, 387-388, 967, 972-973, 1247 (1968). 148-149, (1978). respects. locked, acting comparatively small, view sizes material here; nor lock alter fundamental character personal, Note, Reconsideration Expectation Privacy Test, 76 Mich.L.Rev. 154, 170 allowances infra. exigencies justify (police suspect weapon). Generally, depend suspect's access contents—not exigencies. 16. Nor consider incident possessor. (1973). argued appears bag recognized border Ramsey, 431 606, 616-617, 1972, 1979, 52 617 assert, Moreover safety requires circumstances—such about onto airplane. absent beyond easily seized. concerned deferring Those unacceptable avoid consenting Not packages during deserve full (for example kit burglar tools gun case) support inferred outward appearance. package "plain view," thereby obviating Harris 234, 236, 992, 993, 1067 (1968) (per curiam ). parcels depends persuaded that, it. Chambers, upheld believed occupants robbed gasoline before. "[a]rguably, preference magistrate's judgment, immobilization permitted ." ruled permissible, concluding other. quite imposed departments around available equipment central location warrants secured. responsible providing appropriate kept, regard vehicles contents, severe, impossible, burdens departments. Warrantless Searches Seizures Automobiles, 87 Harv.L.Rev. 835, 841-842 (1974). No comparable likely exist formally 5, 2489, 1981: "Arguably obtained; arguably, 'lesser' authorizes 'greater.' 'greater' itself debatable answer variety circumstances. purposes, presenting distinguish whole, particular item car. Ante, 767-768. suggests, deciding, former latter. Surely, privacy, consequently Clause, anything, possibly confine single easy transferability articles secreted else possibility preserve contemplates following two-step ritual: first, targeted warrant; compartments adjudication controversy reject result.

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