Document: 519 U.S. 408117 S.Ct. 882137 L.Ed.2d 41 MARYLAND, Petitioner,v.Jerry Lee WILSON. No. 95-1268. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Dec. 11, 1996. Decided Feb. 19, 1997. Syllabus * After stopping a speeding car in which respondent Wilson was passenger, Maryland state trooper ordered out upon noticing his apparent nervousness. When exited, quantity cocaine fell to ground. He arrested and charged with possession intent distribute. The Baltimore County Circuit granted motion suppress evidence, deciding that trooper's ordering him constituted an unreasonable seizure under Fourth Amendment. Special Appeals affirmed, holding rule Pennsylvania v. Mimms, 434 106, 98 330, 54 331, officer may as matter course order driver lawfully stopped exit vehicle, does not apply passengers. Held: An making traffic stop passengers get pending completion stop. Statements by Michigan Long, 463 1032, 1047-1048, 103 3469, 3480, 77 1201 (Mimms "held police persons automobile during [traffic] stop'' (emphasis added)), Justice Powell Rakas Illinois, 439 128, 155, n. 4, 99 421, 436, 58 387 held "that . have no Amendment right be from their once proper is made'' do constitute binding precedent, since former statement dictum, latter contained concurrence. Nevertheless, Mimms applies well drivers. therein explained touchstone analysis reasonableness particular governmental invasion citizen's personal security, U.S., at 108-109, S.Ct., 332, depends on balance between public interest individual's security free arbitrary interference officers, id., 109, 332. On side, same weighty safety present regardless whether occupant driver, see 109-110, 332-333, or here. Indeed, danger likely greater when there are addition car. liberty case for stronger than sense probable cause believe has committed minor vehicular offense, 110, 333, but such reason detain But practical matter, already virtue so additional intrusion them minimal. Pp. ___-___. 106 Md.App. 24, 664 A.2d 1, reversed remanded. REHNQUIST, C. J., delivered opinion Court, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, SOUTER, THOMAS, GINSBURG, BREYER, JJ., joined. STEVENS, filed dissenting opinion, KENNEDY, opinion. J. Joseph Curran, Jr., Baltimore, MD, petitioner. Janet Reno, amicus curiae, special leave Court. Byron L. Warnken, appointed this respondent. Chief REHNQUIST 1 In we consider 331 (1977), extends well. We hold it does. 2 At about 7:30 p.m. June evening, David Hughes observed passenger driving southbound I-95 speed 64 miles per hour. posted limit 55 hour, had regular license tag; torn piece paper reading "Enterprise Rent-A-Car'' dangling its rear. activated lights sirens, signaling pull over, continued another mile half until finally did so. 3 During pursuit, noticed were three occupants two turned look several times, repeatedly ducking below sight level then reappearing. As approached foot, alighted met halfway. trembling appeared extremely nervous, nonetheless produced valid Connecticut driver's license. instructed return retrieve rental documents, he complied. encounter, front-seat Jerry Wilson, sweating also nervous. While sitting seat looking papers, 4 exited car, crack Before trial, moved arguing Hughes' agreed, respondent's suppress. appeal, (1995), ruling denied certiorari. 340 Md. 502, 667 342 (1995). certiorari, 518 ____, 116 2521, 135 1046 (1996), now reverse. 5 considered much like one before us today. There, been expired plate, asked step so, bulge jacket proved .38-caliber revolver, whereupon carrying concealed deadly weapon. urged suppression evidence ground officer's seizure, Maryland, agreed. 6 reversed, explaining " [t]he our always "the all circumstances security,''' 332 (quoting Terry Ohio, 392 88 1868, 1878-1879, 20 889 (1968)), "depends "on law officers,''' Brignoni-Ponce, 422 873, 878, 95 2574, 2579, 45 607 (1975)). side balance, noted State "freely concede[d]'' nothing unusual suspicious justify "practice drivers [stopped stops] vehicles course'' "precautionary measure'' protect safety. Id., 332-333. thought "too plain argument'' justification-officer safety-was "both legitimate weighty.'' 333. addition, standing door path oncoming might "appreciable.'' 111, 7 other into occasioned Noting validly infraction, deemed asking outside "de minimis. '' Ibid. Accordingly, concluded "once motor vehicle detained violation, officers without violating Amendment's proscription seizures.'' 6, 6. 8 Respondent urges, lower courts se because driver. turn, argues implicitly decided question (1983), [i]n [Mimms], violation,'' 3479 added), Powell's (1978), "this determined [Mimms] automobiles made,'' (Powell, joined Burger, C.J., concurring) added). agree concurrence, neither constitutes precedent. 9 must therefore decide drivers.1 passenger. Regrettably, stops dangerous encounters. 1994 alone, 5,762 assaults 11 killed pursuits stops. Federal Bureau Investigation, Uniform Crime Reports: Law Enforcement Officers Killed Assaulted 71, 33 (1994). passengers, would except left rear seat, fact more increases possible sources harm officer.2 10 There vehicle. only change will result they of, rather inside Outside access any weapon interior compartment. It seem possibility violent encounter stems ordinary reaction motorist serious crime uncovered And motivation employ violence prevent apprehension every bit great think Summers, 452 692, 101 2587, 69 (1981), offers guidance analogy obtained search warrant contraband located residence, arrived execute found Summers coming down front steps. depended "upon determination authority require re-enter house remain while conducted search.'' 695, 2590. did, said: 12 "Although suggested record, execution narcotics kind transaction give rise sudden frantic efforts conceal destroy evidence. risk both minimized if routinely exercise unquestioned command situation.'' 702-703, 2594 (footnote omitted). 13 summary, basis out, stop.3 14 judgment remanded proceedings inconsistent 15 ordered. 16 whom KENNEDY joins, dissenting. 17 answered "narrow question'' "incremental intrusion'' person who seized reasonable. This case, contrast, raises separate significant concerning power make initial even suspected having violated law. 18 My concern ultimate disposition literally millions cases affected announces. Though us, I am satisfied that-under rationale (1968)-if conducting articulable suspicion danger, defensive tactic running afoul assume facts recited majority's provided justification commanding vehicle.1 Court's goes farther. equally scintilla potential officer. those cases, firmly prohibits routine seizures obviously innocent citizens. 19 majority suggests stake here, admittedly "stronger'' issue outweighed need ensure Ante, __, __. correctly observes "traffic encounters.'' magnitude reflected statistic that, "there stops.'' is, unquestionably, strong minimizing number fatalities. statistics, however, provide support conclusion effect. Those statistics tell how many incidents involved Assuming know occurred after got took place remained indeed, could prevented exit.2 indication smaller jurisdictions where prohibited doing complete absence safety-the condition short, consistent hypothesis assault reduces risk. 21 Furthermore, limited weighed against unnecessary imposed citizens tremendous occur each day. long recognized [b]ecause extensive regulation extent police-citizen contact involving substantially home office.'' Cady Dombrowski, 413 433, 441, 93 2523, 2528, 37 706 (1973).3 Most involve otherwise law-abiding offenses. A arriving destination-to deliver patient hospital, witness kick-off, work time-will often explain violation justifying it. aggregate, these amount enforcement activity. 22 actually dwarfed far If Maryland's share national total average, probably experiences 100 year pursuits. Making unlikely assumption responsible one-fourth assaults, appears new benefit roughly 25 year.4 These represent minuscule portion total. something million year.5 cars stopped, some advantage twenty thousand And, marginal. overwhelming posing real threat, almost certainly suspect 23 daily burden thousands obvious. That "minimal'' individual cases. countless cherish offended, embarrassed, sometimes provoked official commands significant.6 events, aggregation petty indignities impact freedom characterize substantial, my view clearly outweighs evanescent concerns pressed majority. II 24 concludes today convenience supported itself, emphasized "occasioned justified, car.'' can described de minimis'' rested premise "police shall briefly detained.'' Ibid.7 well, passengers' challenged. necessary by-product lawful detention yet time pulled jam caused construction state-imposed delay directed person. seized, whatsoever she poses threat offense.8 26 To stop, insisting hardly classified minimis intrusion. sufficiently justifies subjecting control conclude business restraint blameless permits entirely arbitrary.9 27 view, wholly taxi, bus, private constitutionally protected comfortably seated within exposing themselves elements observation curious bystanders. Constitution should read permit simply misfortune whose offense. 28 Unfortunately, effect turn immediate liberty. Throughout most history embodied general requiring searches authorized warrant, issued cause, Oath affirmation, particularly describing searched, things seized.''10 prohibition era, exceptions warrantless started replace rule.11 1968, landmark "stop frisk'' (1968), placed stamp approval specific establish cause. crafted narrow exception must, whenever practicable, obtain advance judicial through procedure.'' 20, 1879. intended scope major departure prior practice "demand specificity information action predicated central teaching jurisprudence.'' 21, 18, 1880, 18; 27, 1883. 1970's, twice rejected attempts suspicionless "modest'' intrusions automobiles. 879-880, 2579-2580, (1975); Delaware Prouse, 440 648, 662-663, 1391, 59 660 (1979).12 Today, takes unprecedented authorizing unsupported individualized whatsoever. 29 seems rest constitutional protection "unreasonable'' requires hypothetically rational How ground-breaking decision take venture predict. fear, pose realizes. 30 respectfully dissent. 31 32 join dissent STEVENS add few observations. distinguishing feature criminal justice system insistence principled, accountable decisionmaking satisfactory explanation invasive ought established exercises reasoned case. principle accommodated decisions insure own 34 Traffic stops, violations, upwards minutes. stand road full public, serious, trivial. concludes, given unless objective reasonable order. —(We who, choice, conduct business.) 35 requisite showing existence circumstance interests facilitate investigation. acknowledged decades, latitude effecting occupants. See, e.g., Chambers Maroney, 399 42, 90 1975, 419 (1970); New York Class, 475 960, 89 81 (1986); Belton, 453 454, 2860, 768 (1981). Just last Term adhered permitting committed, motives. See Whren States, 517 1769, (1996). discern other, workable rule. Even insisted 36 Whren, course, allow circumstances. coupled today's holding, puts tens police. become commonplace, diminished way. standards adequate police, suffer loss. Since myriad cautious grounds adopts little different operation offered disservice insist judgment. Adherence neutral principles very defend courage dedication. 38 said, discretion restraint; doubt said use citizen complaints political intervention call end practice. arguments, miss point. Liberty comes officials grace right. 39 For reasons, respect syllabus part prepared Reporter Decisions reader. Detroit Timber & Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 50 L.Ed. 499. generally eschewed bright-line rules context, see, Ohio Robinette, 117 417, 136 347 here vehicles. But, typically avoid mean done so; itself drew bright line, underlay STEVENS' points post, __-__, further broken regrettable empirical data subject sparse, ignore exist refinement helpful. agrees "a minimizing'' accomplish views prevail. urges go forcibly entire duration subjected based it; arrest guilty wishes answered, therefore, presented express held, inter alia, properly preserved claim hearing. App. Pet. Cert. 4a. similarly fails press point 1; Brief Petitioner 1. concur alternate Caldwell Mississippi, 472 320, 327, 105 2633, 2638-2639, 86 231 (1985); Rule 14.1(a). assuming typical position converse way officer, suppose, adopt issuing amplified speaker everyone exposed himself shot hidden Given predicate ruling-that suspecting provides insufficient surprise assault-we feeble infirm, accept "petty indignity'' obeying demeaning over loud speaker. 113, 965, South Dakota Opperman, 428 364, 368, 96 3092, 3096, 49 1000 (1976); cf. 1773, 1777, figure smaller. aggregates [t]raffic [p]ursuits [s]tops.'' 71 pursuit moving impossible non-tort 1-year period 1995. Annual Report Judiciary 80 (1994-1995). maintain count performed year, fair rough proxy. bulk include gave informal reprimand. presume figures representative protects good deal harmed exposure inclement weather, ill-advised improperly enforced. Consider, example, inadequately trained Brown Board Commissioners Bryan County, 67 F.3d 1174 (C.A.5 1995), cert. granted, 1540, 134 645 Dissenting criticized reasoning and, predicted reaches 122-123, 339. unquestionably "seizure'' meaning 2578, (1975), "The person, including brief short traditional arrest. Davis 394 721 [89 1394, 676] (1969); 16-19 [88 1877-1879, 889] (1968).'' Cf. Ybarra 444 85, 91, 338, 342, 62 238 (1979) (""[A] person's mere propinquity others independently activity not, more, person''' Sibron York, 40, 62-63, 1889, 1902, 917 (1968))). Amos 255 313, 315, 266, 267, 65 654 (1921); Weeks 232 383, 393, 341, 344, 652 (1914). Carroll 267 132, 149, 280, 283-284, 543 (1925) (automobile search). earlier dictum well-established doctrine incident Weeks, 392, 344; Landynski, Search Seizure 87 (1966). (1979), then-Justice characterized motorist's random "only diaphanous interests.'' 666, 1403.

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