Document: 442 U.S. 735 99 S.Ct. 2577 61 L.Ed.2d 220 Michael Lee SMITH, Petitioner,v.State of MARYLAND. No. 78-5374. Argued March 28, 1979. Decided June 20, Syllabus The telephone company, at police request, installed its central offices a pen register to record the numbers dialed from petitioner's home. Prior his robbery trial, petitioner moved suppress "all fruits derived from" register. Maryland trial court denied this motion, holding that warrantless installation did not violate Fourth Amendment. Petitioner was convicted, and Court Appeals affirmed. Held: use "search" within meaning Amendment, hence no warrant required. Pp. 739-746. (a) Application Amendment depends on whether person invoking protection can claim "legitimate expectation privacy" has been invaded by government action. This inquiry normally embraces two questions: first, individual exhibited an actual (subjective) privacy; second, is one society prepared recognize as "reasonable." Katz v. United States, 389 347, 88 507, 19 576. 2579-2580. (b) in all probability entertained privacy phone he dialed, even if did, "legitimate." First, it doubtful users general have any regarding they dial, since typically know must convey company facilities for recording information does fact various legitimate business purposes. And demonstrate merely using home rather than some other phone, conduct, although perhaps calculated keep contents conversation private, preserve number dialed. Second, harbor subjective privacy, When voluntarily conveyed numerical "exposed" equipment normal course business, assumed risk would reveal police, cf. States Miller, 425 435, 96 1619, 48 71. 741-746. 283 Md. 156, A.2d 858, Howard L. Cardin, Baltimore, Md., petitioner. Stephen H. Sachs, respondent. Mr. Justice BLACKMUN delivered opinion Court. 1 case presents question register1 constitutes Amendment,2 made applicable through Fourteenth Mapp Ohio, 367 643, 81 1684, 6 1081 (1961). 2 * On 5, 1976, Patricia McDonough robbed. She gave description robber 1975 Monte Carlo automobile she had observed near scene crime. Tr. 66-68. After robbery, began receiving threatening obscene calls man identifying himself robber. occasion, caller asked step out her front porch; so, saw earlier described moving slowly past Id., 70. 16, spotted who met McDonough's driving neighborhood. 71-72. By tracing license plate number, learned car registered name petitioner, Smith. 72. 3 next day, 73, 75. get or order before having installed. revealed 17 call placed phone. 74. basis evidence, obtained search residence. page book turned down McDonough; seized. Ibid. arrested, six-man lineup held 19. identified robbed her. 70-71. 4 indicted Criminal Baltimore robbery. pretrial sought register" ground failed secure prior installation. Record 14; 54-56. suppression 63. then waived jury, submitted agreed statement facts. 65-66. tape (evidencing phone) seized residence were admitted into evidence against him. 74-76. id., 78, sentenced six years. He appealed Special Appeals, but issued writ certiorari intermediate advance decision consider properly trial. 160, 860 (1978). 5 affirmed judgment conviction, "there constitutionally protected reasonable system fourth amendment implicated company." 173, A.2d, 867. Because there "search," concluded, needed. Three judges dissented, expressing view individuals do dial their homes; thus "search"; that, absence exigent circumstances, failure mandated here be excluded. 174, 178, 868, 870. Certiorari granted resolve indications conflict decided cases restrictions imposed registers.3 439 1001, 609, 58 676 II A. guarantees "[t]he right people persons, houses, papers, effects, unreasonable searches seizures." In determining particular form government-initiated electronic surveillance Amendment,4 our lodestar 576 (1967). Katz, Government agents intercepted attaching listening device outside public booth. rejected argument occur only when "physical intrusion" "constitutionally area," noting "protects people, places." 351-353, S.Ct., 511-512. Government's monitoring Katz' "violated upon which justifiably relied while booth," "constituted 'search seizure' Amendment." 353, 512. 7 Consistently with uniformly application "justifiable," "reasonable," E. g., Rakas Illinois, 128, 143, 421, 430, 387, n. 12 (1978); 150, 151, 434, 435 (concurring opinion); 164, 441 (dissenting Chadwick, 433 1, 7, 97 2476, 2481, 53 538 (1977); 442, 1623, 71 (1976); Dionisio, 410 14, 93 764, 771, 35 67 (1973); Couch 409 322, 335-336, 611, 619-620, 34 548 White, 401 745, 752, 91 1122, 1126, 28 453 (1971) (plurality Mancusi DeForte, 392 364, 368, 2120, 2123, 20 1154 (1968); Terry 9, 1868, 1873, 889 (1968). inquiry, Harlan aptly noted concurrence, discrete questions. first individual, "exhibited privacy," U.S., 361, 516 whether, words majority, shown "he seeks [something] private." 351, 511. second individual's "one 'reasonable,' " 516—whether, expectation, viewed objectively, "justifiable" under circumstances. 512.5 See 143-144 12, 430; 434 1126 opinion). B 8 applying analysis case, important begin specifying precisely nature state activity challenged. took installing Since property company's offices, obviously cannot "property" intruded area." Petitioner's claim, rather, notwithstanding trespass, State, infringed held. Yet differs significantly employed registers acquire communications. recently noted: 9 "Indeed, law enforcement official could determine communication existed. These devices hear sound. They disclose dialed—a means establishing communication. Neither purport between recipient call, identities, nor completed disclosed registers." New York Tel. Co., 159, 167, 98 369, 54 376 (1977). 10 Given register's limited capabilities, therefore, constituted necessarily rests 11 rejected. we doubt entertain dial. All realize "convey" switching are completed. subscribers realize, moreover, making permanent records see list long-distance (toll) monthly bills. fact, similar routinely used companies "for purposes checking billing operations, detecting fraud preventing violations law." 174-175, 373. Electronic toll calls, also "to subject special rate structure." Hodge Mountain & 555 F.2d 254, 266 (CA9 1977) Pen regularly being conduct check defective overbilling." Note, Legal Constraints Use Register Law Enforcement Tool, 60 Cornell L.Rev. 1028, 1029 (1975) (footnotes omitted). Although most may oblivious esoteric functions, presumably awareness common use: aid identification persons annoying calls. See, e. Von Lusch C P Telephone 457 F.Supp. 814, 816 (Md.1978); L.Rev., 1029-1030, 11; Claerhout, Register, Drake 108, 110-111 (1970). Most books tell subscribers, entitled "Consumer Information," "can frequently help authorities origin unwelcome troublesome calls." Directory 21 District Columbia 13 users, sum, company; information; variety expectations scientifically gauged, too much believe these will remain secret. argues, however, whatever general, demonstrated own here, "us[ed] house exclusion others." Brief (emphasis added). But site immaterial case. Regardless location, same way wished complete call. make conceivable difference, subscriber rationally think would. 'reasonable.' 516. consistently turns over third parties. 442-444, 1623-1624; 619-620; Hoffa 385 293, 302, 87 408, 413, 374 (1966); Lopez 373 427, 83 1381, 462 (1963). example, bank depositor 'expectation privacy' financial "voluntarily . banks exposed employees ordinary business." 1624. explained: 14 "The takes risk, revealing affairs another, Government. repeatedly prohibit obtaining party him authorities, assumption purpose confidence betrayed." 443, 15 "assumed risk" disclosure, expect private. 16 dictates here. business. so doing, processed those modern counterpart operator who, personally subscriber. concedes operator, privacy. Oral Arg. 3-5, 11-12, 32. We inclined hold different constitutional result required because automate. automatic live pertinent respect. An theory least, capable remembering every callers. equipment, contrast "remember" programmed record, companies, present practices, usually local calling McDonough, theory, 18 withstand scrutiny. fortuity elects quasi-permanent view, difference. election, free record. divulged police. Under exist, not, depending how chose define local-dialing zones, bill customers Calls across town, directly, protected; river, assistance, might be. crazy quilt especially circumstances where (as here) pattern dictated practices private corporation. therefore conclude register, consequently, It ordered. POWELL part consideration 22 STEWART, whom BRENNAN joins, dissenting. 23 I am persuaded fall Amendments. 24 352, 512, 576, acknowledged "vital role come play communication[s]." played more vital, abundantly clear conversations carried homes fully As said Court, 407 297, 313, 92 2125, 2135, 32 "the broad unsuspected governmental incursions conversational entails necessitate safeguards." (Footnote omitted.) 25 Nevertheless, today says safeguards extend telephone, apparently dials digits recorded observation describes basic A simply without payment service. itself electronically transmitted overheard equipment. squarely user assume utters mouthpiece broadcast world." supra, 26 makes about dials. What relevant involving itself. enough say, after assumes them 27 telephone—like during call—are recognized Katz.1 seems me privacy.2 captured such emanates person's office—locations protection. Further, integral telephonic protection, trespass area. telephone—although certainly prosaic itself—are "content." listed publicly distributed directory, happy world long distance called. sense incriminating, easily identities places called, intimate details life. 29 respectfully dissent. 30 MARSHALL, 31 concludes relinquish immune convinced protections abrogated whenever apprises another facts valuable criminal investigations, see, 786-790, 1143-1145, (Harlan, J., dissenting); 795-796, 1147-1148 (MARSHALL, California Bankers Assn. Shultz, 416 21, 95-96, 94 1494, 1534, 39 812 (1974) 455-456, 1629-1630, (1976) dissenting), Applying standards set forth 516, (1967) concurring), determines concerning To reach conclusion, posits somehow infer listings bills, cryptic assurances "help" included "most" books, ante, 742-743. assuming, "typically know" monitors internal reasons, 743,1 follow available particular. Privacy commodity, possessed absolutely all. Those certain need released 1534 dissenting). 33 crux Court's holding, "society 'reasonable'." Ante, 743. ruling, parties disclosure government. 744,745. misconceived critical respects. Implicit concept notion choice. At least third-party consensual cases, incorporated doctrine, defendant exercised discretion deciding should enjoy confidential 439, 1388, (1963); 302-303, 413-414, 751-752, 1125-1126 unless forgo what many become personal professional necessity, accept surveillance. Cf. 465-466, 1401-1402 (BRENNAN, idle speak "assuming" risks contexts where, practical matter, realistic alternative. More fundamentally, dispositive assessing reasonableness allow scope protections. For officials, announcing intent monitor content random samples first-class mail conversations, put notice thereafter Amsterdam, Perspectives Minn.L.Rev. 349, 384, (1974). Yet, acknowledging implication analysis, willing concede further "normative proper." 740-741 5. No meaningful effort explain be, why among them. 36 my presumed imparting parties, forced open society. terms, prohibition seizures assigns judiciary prescriptive responsibility. Harlan, formulated standard applies today, recognized: "[s]ince task project, well mirror reflect, recite examining desirability saddling society." 786, 1143 assessment, courts evaluate "intrinsic character" investigative reference values underlying 95, "extensive intrusions jeopardize [individuals'] security self-restraint officials required." 37 registers, believe, extensive intrusion. otherwise ignores vital plays relationships, 511, First interests unfettered placing value engaged activity. prospect unregulated undoubtedly prove disturbing nothing illicit hide. Many individuals, including members unpopular political organizations journalists sources, legitimately wish avoid contacts. NAACP Alabama, 357 449, 463, 78 1163, 1172, 1488 (1958); Branzburg Hayes, 408 665, 695, 2646, 2663, 626 (1972); 728-734, 2673-2676 (STEWART, Permitting access less probable cause impede forms affiliation journalistic endeavor hallmark truly Particularly given previous reliance trace reporters' sources activity,2 unwilling insulate independent judicial review. 38 Just enters booth "entitled world," too, recorded, all, solely Accordingly, require obtain enlist beyond government's reach. "A mechanical electrical impulses caused released. overhear oral communications indicate actually completed." 161 366 "usually facility [and] paper [the] line" attached. Giordano, 505, 549 1820, 1842 40 341 (opinion concurring dissenting part). 162, 367. seizures, shall violated, Warrants issue, cause, supported Oath affirmation, particularly describing place searched, things seized." U.S.Const., Amdt. 4. Order, 546 243, 245 (CA8 1976), cert. denied, sub nom. Southwestern Bell Co. 1008, 716, 750 Matter etc., 956, 959-960 (CA2 rev'd grounds Falcone, 505 478, 482, (CA3 1974), 420 955, 95 1339, 43 432 (1975); 256 1977); Clegg, 509 605, 610 (CA5 1975). decisions, found necessary "pen [is] requirements 165 369 7. 554 4, 1845 installed, company. 73-74. acted request. this, respondent appears deemed "agent" render "state action" Situations imagined, course, two-pronged provide inadequate index suddenly announce nationwide television henceforth entry, homes, effects. Similarly, refugee totalitarian country, unaware Nation's traditions, erroneously continuously lacking well. "conditioned" influences alien well-recognized freedoms, ascertaining was. existed normative proper. true, pointed 166-167, 376, Title III Omnibus Crime Control Safe Streets Act 1968, U.S.C. §§ 2510-2520, considered "interceptions" "they 'contents' communications," term defined Congress. concerned technical definitions statute, Constitution. member subscriber's household "standing" object is, distinct. 387. Lacking exhaustive knowledge reading habits 742-743, decline traced. Nor turn concededly "esoteric functions" corporate billing, 742, functions unlikely familiarity. Reporters Committee Freedom Press American 192 U.S.App.D.C. 593 1030 (1978), 440 949, 1431, 59 639 (1979); Halperin Kissinger, 1193 (DC Socialist Workers Party Attorney General, 463 515 (SDNY 1978).

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