Document: 361 U.S. 98 80 S.Ct. 168 4 L.Ed.2d 134 John Patrick HENRY, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 17. Argued Oct. 20, 21, 1959. Decided Nov. 23, Mr. Edward J. Calihan, Jr., Chicago, Ill., for petitioner. Kirby W. Patterson, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioner stands convicted unlawfully possessing three cartons radios valued at more than $100 which had been stolen from an interstate shipment. See 18 U.S.C. § 659, U.S.C.A. 659. The issue in case is whether there was probable cause arrest leading to search that produced evidence on conviction rests. A timely motion suppress made by petitioner and overruled District Court; judgment affirmed Court Appeals a divided vote. 7 Cir., 259 F.2d 725. here petition writ certiorari, 359 904, 79 580, 3 570. 2 There theft shipment whiskey terminal Chicago. next day two FBI agents were neighborhood investigating it. They saw one Pierotti walk across street tavern get into automobile. given, employer Pierotti, information undisclosed nature 'concerning implication defendant with shipments.' But, so far as record shows, he never went tell suspected any such thefts. followed car it enter alley stop. got out car, entered gangway residential premises returned few minutes some cartons. He placed them drove off. unable follow car. But later they found parked same place near tavern. Shortly leave tavern, drive stopped before; observed this transaction distance 300 feet could not determine size, number or contents As off finally, when met it, waved heard say, 'Hold it; G's.' This by, 'Tell him (you) just picked me up.' searched (which bore name 'Admiral' addressed out-of-state company) their took merchandise office held about hours learned contained radios. then men under formal arrest. statutory authority officers make felony arrests without warrant restricted offenses committed 'in presence' instances where have 'reasonable grounds believe person be arrested has committing' felony. 3052, 3052. statute states constitutional standard, command Fourth Amendment no warrants either searches shall except 'upon cause, supported Oath affirmation, particularly describing searched, persons things seized.' requirement roots are deep our history. general warrant,1 left blank, writs assistance, against James Otis inveighed,2 both perpetuated oppressive practice allowing police suspicion. Police control judicial control, since showing 'probable cause' before magistrate required. Virginia Declaration Rights, adopted June 12, 1776, rebelled practice: 5 'That warrants, whereby officer messenger may commanded places fact committed, seize named, whose offence described evidence, grievous oppressive, ought granted.' Maryland Rights (1776), Art. XXIII, equally emphatic: 6 all oath places, property, oppressive; warrants—to apprehend persons, naming place, special—are illegal, And see North Carolina XI; Pennsylvania Constitution X; Massachusetts (1780), Pt. I, XIV. 8 That philosophy reflected Amendment. early American decisions before3 immediately after4 its adoption show, common rumor report, suspicion, even 'strong reason suspect'5 adequate support principle survived day. United States v. Di Re, 332 581, 593—595, 68 222, 227, 228, 92 L.Ed. 210; Johnson States, 333 10, 13 15, 367, 368, 369, 436; Giordenello 357 480, 486, 78 1245, 1250, 1503. Its high water supra, smell opium coming closed room enough warrant. It background scholars recently wrote, 'Arrest mere suspicion collides violently basic human right liberty.'6 9 Evidence required establish guilt necessary. Brinegar 338 160, 69 1302, 93 1879; Draper 358 307, 329, 327. On other hand, good faith part arresting enough. Probable exists if facts circumstances known prudent man believing offense committed. Stacey Emery, 97 642, 645, 24 1035. Director General Railroads Kastenbaum, 263 25, 28, 44 52, 53, 146; 592, 227; 1250. important, we think, strictly enforced, standard set protects citizen. If acts protected though turns citizen innocent. Carroll 267 132, 156, 45 280, 286, 543. while is, limits, permissible incident lawful arrest, incidental search, must cause. pages 155—156, 285—286. immunity cannot fairly enlarged jeopardizing privacy security We turn question shoes these (Brinegar page 175, 1310) would seen permit violating violated law. think not. 10 prosecution conceded below, adheres concession here,7 federal view particular case. When interrupted liberty movement, purposes case, complete. therefore, necessary time reasonable crime afterwards contraband discovered An justified what subsequent discloses, holds. 11 true neighborhood, whisky having Petitioner's friend, shipments, said. stands, those shipments manner implicated remain unexplained undefined. therefore practically meaningless. justify issuing So criminal activity prior time. Riding stopping alley, picking up packages, driving away—these outwardly Their movements mark fleeing acting furtively. might different packages taken trucking platform. said, section. does every who carries package subject nor seizure. carried contraband. shape design times adequate. weight nothing indicate probably liquor. appeared only after What transpired irrelevant narrow us. To repeat, discloses. Under system lay hands better, teaches, guilty sometimes go free citizens easy 12 suspects automobile liberalized rule governing moving vehicle involved. decision merely relaxed requirements practicality. did dispense need Reversed. 14 BLACK concurs result. 15 CLARK, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE joins, dissenting. 16 decides ground moment Federal Bureau Investigation riding exist. While Government, unnecessarily seems me, stopped, bound Government's mistakes.* 17 shows beyond dispute received co-defendant Pierotti's implicating shipments. began surveillance recognizing came bar. Later loading trailing them, first load cartons, platform circuitous route through streets alleys. another same. alighted own approached so, overheard say: G's,' Since actually together several hours, apparent statement untrue. Upon being questioned, defendants stated borrowed friend. During questioning stepped happened look door open stacked inside resembled loaded gangway. agent Admiral shipping labels company Cincinnati, Ohio. further questioning, told Knowing untrue, his companion, seized say amounted I agree. suspicious activities during somewhat prolonged warranted sighting gave course commission very presence. properly overruled. 19 In my view, committing automobile, earlier events certainly disclosed ample following thereof, agents. interrogation, labels, indisputable 20 investigation proceeds point presence, obligated proceed searches, seizures, require. alertness discovered, interrupted, prevented, punished. should additional burdens law enforcement agencies. 21 affirm judgments rationale 1949, 1879, 1925, Declared illegal House Commons 1766. Hansard, Parl.Hist.Eng. 207. Quincy's Miss.Rep. 1761—1772, Appendix, p. 469. Frisbie Butler, Kirby's Rep. (Conn.) 1785—1788, 213. Conner Commonwealth, Bin.(Pa.) 38; Grumon Raymond, Conn. 40; Commonwealth Dana, Metc.(Mass.) 329. note 4, Bin. 43. Hogan Snee, McNabb-Mallory Rule: Rise, Rationale Rescue, 47 Geo.L.J. 1, 22. Uniform Crime Reports compiled (Vol. XXVIII, Semiannual Bull., 1957), pp. 64, 65, 1956 statistics 1,025 cities including 26 over 250, 000 population 458 10,000 population. report 111,274 (but connection specific offense) subsequently released prosecution. rate 280.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. grand total arrested—both excluding traffic offenses) alone 264,601. 666.7 alternative theory discussed Government clear press position (359 965, 881, 833) now pending here, Rios States. * doing wishful thinking regard relaxation standards making test lend ourselves indulgence.

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