Document: 413 U.S. 433 93 S.Ct. 2523 37 L.Ed.2d 706 Elmer O. CADY, Warden, Petitioner,v.Chester J. DOMBROWSKI. No. 72—586. Argued March 21, 1973. Decided June Syllabus Respondent had a one-car accident near small Wisconsin town, while driving rented Ford. The police the car towed to garage seven miles from station, where it was left unguarded outside. arrested for drunken driving. Early next day, an officer, looking service revolver which respondent (who identified himself as Chicago policeman) thought possess, made warrantless search of and found in trunk several items, some bloodied, he removed. Later, on receipt additional information emanating respondent, blood-stained body located respondent's brother's farm nearby county. Thereafter, through windows disabled Dodge before renting Ford, officer observed other bloodied items. Following issuance warrant, materials were taken Dodge, two (a sock floor mat) not listed return warrant among items seized. Respondent's trial murder, at seized cars introduced evidence, resulted conviction upheld appeal. In this habeas corpus action, Court Appeals reversed District held that certain evidence been unconstitutionally Held: 1. Ford did violate Fourth Amendment applicable States by Fourteenth. unreasonable since exercised form custody car, constituted hazard highway, disposition precluded his intoxicated later comatose condition; standard procedure protect public weapon's possibly falling into improper hands. Preston v. United States, 376 364, 84 881, 11 777, distinguished; Harris 390 234, 88 992, 19 1067, followed. Pp. 439—448. 2. seizure mat invalid, item 'particularly described,' subject proper warrant. It is constitutionally significant warrant's return, (contrary assumption Appeals) filed prior search, thus validly outstanding time articles discovered. 448—450. 471 F.2d 280, reversed. LeRoy L. Dalton, Madison, Wis., petitioner. William Mulligan, Milwaukee, respondent. Opinion Mr. Justice REHNQUIST, announced BLACKMUN. 1 Chester Dombrowski convicted state court first-degree murder Herbert McKinney sentenced life imprisonment. appeal, State Dombrowski, 44 Wis.2d 486, 171 N.W.2d 349 (1969), Supreme rejecting contention admitted then petition writ federal district court, asserting same constitutional claim. denied but Seventh Circuit reversed, holding one searches unconstitutional under 777 (1964), unrelated reasons. 280 (1972). We granted certiorari, 409 1059, 556, 34 510 2 * On September 9, 1969, member Chicago, Illinois, force either owned or possessed 1960 automobile. That day drove West Bend, Wisconsin, county seat Washington County, hundred-odd northwest Chicago. He having taverns town Kewaskum, north during late evening 9 early morning 10. At noon 10th, automobile became disabled, brother Fond du Lac adjoins County north. back afternoon with latter's car. 3 Just midnight maroon 1967 Thunderbird O'Hare Field outside apparently morning. A tenant saw answering description pull alongside approximately 4 a.m. 9:30 11, purchased towels, right brown blue, department store Kewaskum. From 7 10:15 p.m. 11th, steak house tavern Bend. ate dinner also drank, quite heavily. direction away Bend toward farm. way, accident, breaking guard rail crashing bridge abutment. passing motorist him and, after being let off telephoned police. Two officers picked up scene accident. noticed appeared be drunk; offered three conflicting versions how occurred. 5 scene, took various measurements relevant was, opinion officers, drunk. informed them officer. policemen believed required regulation carry their revolvers all times. After calling tow-truck remove Thunderbird, finding person, looked front glove compartment revolver. No found. wrecker arrived privately station. wrecker, no posted. 11:33 11th directly station interviewed assistant attorney, whom again stated policeman, formally 'in condition' 'incoherent times.' Because injuries sustained local hospital. lapsed unexplained coma, doctor, fearing possibility complications, hospitalized overnight observation. One remained hospital guard, other, Officer Weiss, 12th 6 purpose going developed motion suppress, look Weiss testified have when arrested, authorities impression effort find 'standard our department.' opened door found, book regulations between seats, flashlight 'a few spots blood it.' locked, covered what determined type O blood. These included pair uniform trousers, gray nightstick name 'Dombrowski' stamped it, raincoat, portion mat, towel. moist. removed these 8 When, confronted condition discovered trunk, requested presence counsel making any statement. conferring lawyer told 'authorized me there lying family prinic area end farm.' went dump, male, decedent McKinney, clad only sportshirt. deceased's head bloody; white body. observing area, window far pillowcase, backseat, briefcase Police officials obtained, 12th, returnable within 48 hours, warrants well orders impound both automobiles. examined evidence. 13th, criminologists came Crime Laboratory Madison searched Dodge; they blood, part bloody rear briefcase, mat. 14th, recite hearing sheriff who executed specifically 10 trial, testimony tending establish deceased first hit over shot .38-caliber gun, dying hour gunshot wound inflicted; death occurred six-hour margin error way; guns; blood; bloodstains prosecution traces it; matched towel identical towels 11th; trousers; composition stitching deceased. 12 State's case based wholly circumstantial reviewing direct 'even though led circumstantial, we seldom seen stronger collection such assembled presented prosecution.' Wis.2d, 507, N.W.2d, 360. II provides: 13 'The people secure persons, houses, papers, effects, against seizures, shall violated, Warrants issue, upon probable cause, supported Oath affirmation, particularly describing place searched, persons things seized.' 14 ultimate set forth reasonableness. construing command, has general agreement 'except carefully defined classes cases, private property without consent 'unreasonable' unless authorized valid warrant.' (Camara Municipal Court, 387 523, 528—529, 87 1727, 1731, 18 930 (1967). See Coolidge New Hampshire, 403 443, 454—455, 91 2022, 2031, 29 564 (1971). class cases constitutes least partial exception rule searches. Although vehicles are 'effects' meaning Amendment, 'for purposes difference houses cars.' Chambers Maroney, 399 42, 52, 90 1975, 1981, 26 419 (1970). Carroll 267 132, 153—154, 45 69 L.Ed. 543 (1925). Cooper California, 386 58, 59, 788, 790, 17 730 (1967), proposition different language: 15 'We clear (Preston States) whether depends facts circumstances each pointed out, particular, constantly movable may make reasonable although result might opposite home, store, fixed piece property. U.S., 366—367, S.Ct., 882—883.' 16 While principles easily stated, decisions dealing constitutionality searches, especially those vehicles, suggest branch law something less than seamless web. Since Court's decision Mapp Ohio, 367 643, 81 1684, 1081 (1961), overruled Wolf Colorado, 338 25, 1359, 1782 (1949), provisions Due Process Clause Fourteenth application standards, originally intended restrict Federal Government, presents difficulty automobiles involved. contact enforcement usually, if always, involves detection investigation crimes operation vehicle. Cases supra, Brinegar 160, 1302, 1879 illustrate typical situations come vehicles. members special unit charged enforcing particular criminal statute stopped vehicle cause believe operator violating statute. As system government, however, unlike much more reasons related themselves. All require registered operators licensed. localities enacted extensive detailed codes regulating manner motor operated streets highways. traffic, because frequency can become involved highways, extent police-citizen involving will substantially greater home office. Some contacts occur violated statute, many nature. Local frequently investigate accidents claim liability engage what, want better term, described community caretaking functions, totally divorced detection, investigation, acquisition relating violation 20 original justification advanced treating differently insofar concerned, vagrant mobile nature former, supra; cf. possibilities vehicle's destroyed remote, nonexistent. 1067 (1968) (District Columbia police); supra. seizures similar structures stems ambulatory character latter fact extensive, often noncriminal bring 'plain view' fruits, instrumentalities crime, contraband. Cf. Biswell, 406 311, 92 1593, 32 21 Here must decide 'search'* solely previously obtained And, answered negative, determine Amendments. questions, factual considerations deserve emphasis. First, control Thunderbird. nuisance along highway. Respondent, (and comatose), could arrangements stored. police, elemental safety, garage. Second, courts retrieve (that police) department,' would fall untrained perhaps malicious outside, lot taken, posted it. For apparent Appeals, concluded 'no further needed sustain' drunk-driving charge, '(t)he therefore incriminating offenses.' F.2d, 283. obligated exercise its incependent judgment underlying issue case, free record disregard findings fact. Particularly nonmetropolitan jurisdictions here, traffic laws supervision large officer's job. should accepted, respect Weiss' specific motivation followed 'standard.' 22 relied, now relies, primarily conclude inadmissible. received telephone call caller 'three suspicious men acting suspiciously' business Newport, Kentucky, five hours; four investigated receiving evasive explanations learning suspects unemployed apparantly indigent, vagrancy. cursorily ultimately garage, booked. revealed compartment; subsequent conspiracy rob federally insured bank. attempted justify therein 'as incidental lawful arrest.' Id., 367, 883. rejected asserted 'search incident' following terms: 23 'But justifications absent remote arrest. Once accused arrest custody, another place, simply incident Ibid. 24 possible interpret broadly, argue stands search. But take written, hold challenged justified instant controlled extrapolated 25 Harris, petitioner robbery. petitioner's leaving site robbery, impounded Department valuables removed, tag detailing placed compliance regulation, opening doors, spotted registration card, belonging victim, face metal stripping. This inadmissible, stated: admissibility case. precise accepted effect discovery card measure custody. Nothing requires obtain narrow circumstances. 27 'Once lawfully opened, . plainly visible. long settled objects plain view position evidence.' 236, 993. 28 Cooper, selling heroin, pending forfeiture proceedings. week later, compartment, subsequently trial. validity 'This Preston, nor do so law. They crime keep until proceedings concluded. Their car—whether 'legal title' not—was closely reason impounded, retained. months retain length time, right, even own protection, 61—62, 791. 30 decisions, fours lead us intrusion Amendments actual, physical officers' directions. rural reacting accident—one recurring practical results deal every day. parked adjacent dwelling owner (1971), momentarily unoccupied street. Rather, like obviously abandoned vehicle, represented nuisance, suggestion action exercising unwarranted terms sound procedure. 31 initial safeguard owner's property, guarantee safety custodians. justification, different, immediate Cooper: concern endangered intruder contains uncontradicted support Court. Furthermore, basis discrediting testimony, corroborated conducted ignorant committed. metropolitan responsibility discharged posting night, normal neither Wisconsin. protection might, abstract, accomplished 'less intrusive' means does not, itself, render unreasonable. previous recognition distinction places leads 'search' here premises owner, virtue obtained. Framers given 'unreasonableness' guide determining meet required. Very little said see very say usefully refine language itself order evolve formula judging this. Where, automobile, reasonably contain vulnerable vandals, III 33 ruled Dodge. McKinney's Consequently, described' issued reasoning executing seize plain-view doctrine. hinged understanding returned functus officio Mauer 35 'There continuing authority night (the 12th). presumably scene—it officio. 'new ball game,' speak, began 'inspection." 286. 36 indisputably sometime Mauer's somewhat loss understand conclusion. prepared 13th (whether impossible determine), held. outstanding, considered theory below. seized, deem ramification 'defect,' purely question need reach entire pursuant open field, all. Hester 265 57, 445, 446, 68 898 (1924). 38 39 Judgment 40 Mr BRENNAN, DOUGLAS, STEWART, MARSHALL join, dissenting. 41 upholding purports merely rely me, nothing supports today. I dissent 42 these. off-duty charge severely damaged one-half hours arresting consent, thorough alleged person numerous eventually linked contributed murder. 43 begins analysis recognizing, clearly must, Amendment's prohibition 'unreasonable seizures' shaped clause, per se established well-delineated exceptions. Almeida-Sanchez 266, 2535, 596 (1973); Katz 389 347, 357, 514, 576 (1967); Camara 1730, recognizes exceptions requirement highway 'where practicable quickly moved out locality jurisdiction sought.' 153, 285, (1971); (1970); Dyke Taylor Implement Mfg. Co., 391 216, 1472, 538 (1968). cannot 'automobile exception,' where, likelihood moved, exception' irrelevant. 461, 2035; 156, Another Chimel 395 752, 89 2034, 685 (1969). exception, assuming permissible scope driving, 368, 883, 'the too third view.' Thus, (1968), fell roll window. But, cautioned Coolidge, 466, 2038, '(w)hat common course inadvertently across accused.' lock doors 'to custody.' '(T)he search,' said, circumstances' fully applicable. present sole gun. doctrine gun constitutional. Reliance misplaced antecedent sustained. 46 sustains connection California mandating used facilitate possession transportation narcotics. There, treat own, sustainable integral retention. course, poles Cooper. contrary, ownership exclusively lessor temporary 47 Clearly, therefore, today finds knew ample opportunity Under circumstances, despite adherence rests subjective deemed acceptable way investigative functions performed officers. applicability turn fine-line distinctions functions. '(i)t surely anomalous individual protected suspected behavior,' 530, 1732, basic Fourth) recognized countless privacy security individuals arbitrary invasions governmental officials.' 528, 1730. professed contested rather gain eliminate necessity requirement. interest Camara, City Seattle, 541, 1737, 943 that, exigent 'suitably restricted 539, 1727. And certainly later. Moreover, times aware never once inquired carrying so, located. conclude, serious departure principles. my unjustified, affirm invalidating remand determination fruit unlawful Alderman 394 165, 961, 176 (1969); Wong Sun 371 471, 83 407, 441 (1963). Petitioner argued unlocking constitute Amendment. thesis intrusion, expectation privacy, intent discovering Compare Haerr 240 533 (CA5 1957), Little, 85 U.S.App.D.C. 242, 178 aff'd grounds, 339 1, 70 468, 94 599 (1950). Arguing conduct 'inspection' 'search,' relies validate issue. conceded Inasmuch characterized belated contention.

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