Document: 359 U.S. 360 79 S.Ct. 804 3 L.Ed.2d 877 Aaron D. FRANK, Appellant,v.STATE OF MARYLAND. No. 278. Argued March 5, 1959. Decided May 4, Rehearing Denied June 15, See 914, 1292. Mr. Benjamin Lipsitz, Baltimore, Md., for appellant. James, H. Norris, Jr., and C Ferdinand Sybert, Ellicott City, Mr., appellee. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Acting on a complaint from resident 4300 block Reisterstown Road, Maryland, that there were rats in her basement, Gentry, an inspector Baltimore City Health Department, began inspection houses vicinity looking source rats. In middle afternoon February 27, 1958, Gentry knocked door or appellant's detached frame home at 4335 Road. After receiving no response he proceeded to inspect area outside house. This revealed house was 'extreme state decay,' rear pile later identified as 'rodent feces mixed with straw trash debris approximately half ton.' During this appellant came around side asked explain his presence. responded had evidence rodent infestation permission basement area. Appellant refused. At time did have warrant authorizing him enter. The next forenoon company two police officers, returned knock, reinspected exterior premises. He then swore out arrest alleging violtio n § 120 Art. 12 Code. That section provides: 2 'Whenever Commissioner shall cause suspect nuisance exists any house, cellar enclosure, may demand entry therein day time, if owner occupier refuse delay open same admit free examination, forfeit pay every such refusal sum Twenty Dollars.' arrested found guilty offense alleged by Police Northern District fined twenty dollars. On appeal, Criminal Court de novo proceeding, also guilty. Maryland Appeals denied certiorari. case here under challenge, 28 U.S.C. 1257(2), validity 120, determine whether conviction resisting without obtained violation Fourteenth Amendment. Code which is important part, deals many multiform aspects hygiene modern urban areas. A vital portion concerns housing. Typical content method enforcing its provisions requiring '(e)very dwelling part thereof be kept clean accumulation dirt, filth, rubbish, garbage similar matter, vermin infestation.' Code, 12, 112. If occupant building fails meet standard, notified abate substandard conditions.1 Failure remove these hazards community health gives rise criminal prosecution. Ibid. attempted merely ascertain existence evils corrected upon due notification or, default correction, made basis punishment. 4 We said (t)he security one's privacy against arbitrary intrusion police' fundamental society protected Wolf v. Colorado, 338 25, 69 1359, 1361, 93 L.Ed. 1782. Application broad restraints process compels inquiry into nature being individual freedom particular context justification social need rests. 5 history constitutional protection official invasion citizen's makes explicit human it meant respect. years prior Revolution leading voiced England Colonies protested ransacking Crown officers homes citizens search crime illegally imported goods. vivid memory newly independent Americans abuses produced Fourth Amendment safeguard action new Union, like already their way State Constitutions. 6 1765, England, what properly called great Entick Carrington, 19 Howell's Trials, col. 1029, announced principle English law became Bill Rights whose basic has become imbedded concept law. It decided not allow break home, cover general executive warrant, utterance libel. Among reasons given decision these: 7 'It very certain, obligeth man accuse himself; because necessary means compelling self-accusation, falling innocent well guilty, would both cruel unjust; should seem, disallowed pinc iple. There too confounded guilty.' Id., 1073. 8 novel pronouncements colonists. few earlier, Boston, revenue been authorized sue Writs Assistance, empowering them suspected places, including private houses, smuggled 1761 use contested historic proceedings Boston. James Otis attacked Writ Assistance placed' liberty hands petty officer.'2 His powerful argument so impressed itself first audience people all President Adams retrospect moved say 'American Independence born.'3 Many Court, Boyd United States, 116 616, 524, 29 746, carefully reviewed pointed out, Lord Camden 9 '* * 'unreasonable searches seizures' condemned fourth amendment are almost always purpose give himself, cases fifth amendment; 'in witness himself,' amendment, throws light question seizure' within meaning amendment.' page 633, 534. 10 Against background protections emerge proscription invasion. right secure personal privacy, shut officials unless proper authority second, intimately related protection, self-protection: resist unauthorized design securing information fortify coercive power individual, used effect further deprivation life property. Thus, not, save limited closely confined situations, seized judicially issued warrant. aspect quoted passages Carrington States Refer. Certainly accept theory interrelationship Fifth Amendments4 realize plain, issue prosecutions forfeitures battle fought. While rights impulses behind Forth analogues constitutions, application extent essential Due Process Clause course restricted bounds. 11 But giving fullest scope cannot invoked. conditions exist proscribes. they do remedy infringing conditions. No prosecution sought seized. simply directed could ordered inspection, resist, namely, act manner consistent maintenance minimum standards well-being, own. Appellant's resistance can only based, admissible self-protection, but rarely denial seeking enter home. 'liberty' asserted absolute consent designed pursued solely community's health, even when conducted regard convenience place. granted strictly limited, more exacting than analogous other municipal codes. Valid grounds suspicion must exist. presence filth back yard combined rundown condition gave adequate suspicion. time. Here midnight knock door, orderly visit suggestion hour inconvenient. Moreover, force attempt it. fine imposed resistance, past unwilling occupant. 13 does touch most periphery interests safeguarded Amendment's intrusion, hedged about safeguards make least possible occupant, slightest restriction claims privacy. Such assessed needs 14 Inspection adjunct regulatory scheme welfare law, antecedents deep our history. For 200 empowered ships, carriages, shops, service common welfare. pre-revolutionary days trade, viability struggling depended, primary concern. tobacco trade Maryland's economy, inspections ships carriages enforce uniform packing shipping tobacco.5 Similarly, evasion import duties liquor goods stores homes.6 Generally ground between 'the rising setting sun.'7 15 1776 incorporated, Declaration Rights, 16 'That warrants, oath affirmation, seize person property, grievious oppressive; warrants—to apprehend persons, naming describing place, special—are illegal, ought granted.' Thorpe, Federal Constitutions (1909), 1688. 17 provision product abuse protest birth Amendment.8 remains today Constitution. Yet, following proclamation saw decline marked increase statutory authorization Not old regulations continued, extended concerns. 1782, Commissioners 'enter lots, grounds, possessions, persons *' order regulate keep repair sewerage systems.9 Five entries property allowed keeping public roads repair.10 statutes enacted period permitting clerk market 'to examine weigh bread, seize, poor county, find deficient weight fineness, baked aforesaid *.'11 penalty 'five pounds current money.' And so, when, 1801, instrument enforcement laws, untried procedures ordinance now challenged derives 1801 ordinance. provided: 18 'And ordained, often commissioners them, dangerous city inclosure up view, they, one examining same, examinatio, h e dollars, corporation.'12 From passage present prevention abatement 'nuisances' chief Department.13 latter nineteenth century, ratification Amendment, thousands ordinance.14 Thus system attack, having beginning colonial history, integral Baltimore's laws century half. legal significance long practice illuminated us Holmes: 20 'The historical product, destroy substitute mechanical compartments exactly alike. thing practised hundred consent, will strong affect it, *.' Jackman Rosenbaum Co., 260 22, 31, 43 9, 67 107. (As 'time-honored procedure' see Den ex dem Murray Hoboken Land Improvement how. 272, 372, Ownbey Morgan, 256 94, 41 433, 65 837.) Of course, wise reminder, enjoyment centuries hardly deemed violate process, freeze confines facts discredited attitudes.15 advance reasonable right. Representing living principle, permanent catalogue limits essentials rights.' 1361. 21 rests exercise. continually strengthened applied wider through those individuals peremptory received increasing legislative judicial protection. Nor situation where body knowledge displaces previous premises action. total want modification circumstances structure calls disregard much contrary, problems ordinances multiplied manifold, difficulties enforcement. maintain basic, minimal housing, prevent spread disease pervasive breakdown fiber slums absence barest civilized living, mounted major concern American government. growth cities, crowding populations, increased awareness responsibility citizens, create far greater magnitude writers acie nt ever dreamed. Time experience forcefully taught either matter systematic area-by-area here, treat specific problem, indispensable importance health; greatly hobbled blanket requirement acts. preventive great, after seen officials; apparently welcomed insignificant few.16 Certainly, vitiated thought 158 ago, nor inroad meeting dominant sanctioned. 22 'a unlikeness' 'official acts proceedings,' 624, 529, requires consideration laid bare kind we concerned satisfied is, effect, synthetic 'for periodic inspections.' constitutionally required, flexibly interpreted dispense rigorous restrictions issue. loose granting before recognition fact reason intrinsic elements, sanctions, safeguards, requesting intruding denied, offend 23 needs, circumscribed deprived 24 Affirmed. 25 WHITTAKER, concurring. 26 core prohibiting unreasonable applies I understand Court's adhere fully principle. convinced inspector's request petitioner's midday sole attempting locate habitat disease-carrying rodents known somewhere immediate make, followed amount of, Amendments, join 27 DOUGLAS, whom CHIEF JUSTICE, BLACK BRENNAN concur, dissenting. decsio dilutes homeowner believe heritage. indeed inquest over substantial needed investigate sanitary holds needed, failure citizen punished. conclusions am forced dissent. 30 enjoins guarantee embodied (Wolf 1359)—whatever established guarantee. casts shadow respects seizures civil cases. Any conclusion require considerable editing revision terms protects government, whatever complaint. words inclusive: 31 papers, effects, seizures, violated, Warrants issue, probable cause, supported Oath particularly place searched, things seized.' supra, police—which Amendment—is society.' Now resounding phrase watered down embrace certain invasions come conditions, strange deletion some inspectors none themselves. unsanitary prosecutions. §§ 112 119—the involved case—makes misdemeanor. thus lay groundwork led imposition fine. imposed, why prison term? 32 said, however, small assessment costs inspection. Yet revisited repeated fines imposed. truth measure officer government penalize invokes 33 heretofore protect litigation, prosecutions, offing. Why otherwise care exercised restricting agencies Trade Commission making investigations support cease desist orders? Fear trespassing expressly narrow reading powers Comm. Tobacco 264 298, 307, 44 336, 337, 68 696. 'fishing expeditions' condemned, 306, directly case. 34 misreads relates primarily certainly teaching o En tick St. Tr. 1029. 1765—it nonconformist British ransack homes. commands First (as prohibitions Fifth) reflect teachings supra. These three amendments related, safeguarding self-incrimination 'conscience dignity expression well.' Ullmann 350 422, 445 et seq., 76 497, 510, 100 511 (dissent); Feldman 322 487, 499, 64 1082, 1087, 88 1408. understood, evidenced Camden's review oppressive practices press Star Chamber, Long Parliament, Licensing Acts. cols. 1069—1072. denounced warrants. Taylor, Constitution (1911), p. 234, correct interpretation episode: 35 'In effort press, strained exercise prerogative 1763 discovery apprehension authors printers (not named) obnoxious 45 North Briton, commented severe offensive King's Speech prorogation Parliament unpopular Peace Paris recently (February 10, 1763) concluded. Forty-nine Wilkes, warrant; ascertained Wilkes author, libel filed verdict obtained. suits afterward brought Under- Secretary who Dryden Leach, suspicion, verdicts damages. When Bench Mansfield judges pronounced declaring 'no degree antiquity sanction usage bad itself." Paterson, Liberty Subject (1877), pp. 129—132. 36 recounted 625—626, was, Bradley 'fresh memories achieved independence form government.' reference mere 37 fallacy maintaining criminals emphasized Judge Prettyman Columbia Little, 85 U.S.App.D.C. 242, 178 F.2d 13, 16—17, A.L.R.2d 954, affirmed 339 1, 70 468, 94 599: 38 wholly merit, preposterous fact. premise prohibition self-incrimination; common-law ultimate civilization. firmly bright features Anglo-Saxon contributions progress. crime. belonged men, criminals, real suspected. So clear examination slight exhaustive. reason. To fantastic absurdity.' 39 added alike officers-indeed amis sion country: 40 'We emphasize mission, invade (1) magistrate (2) crisis performance duty affords neither opportunity apply magistrate. conditioned objective, stature officer. uniform, badge, rank, bureau operates immaterial. immaterial motivated highest lowest spite.' 17. Ill.L.Rev. 845. well-known elder Pitt police, nothing proceedings. 42 poorest cottage bid defiance Crown. frail—its roof shake—the wind blow it—the storm enter, rain enter—but King enter—all dares cross threshold ruined tenement!' statement specifically refer danger excise entering levy 'Cyder Tax.' Hansard, Parliamentary History (1753—1765) 1307. Some involve They main regulated customs shipped regulations.1 twenty-dollar forfeiture different substance ones colonists objectionable. objection went size lawless collected. 'Every prompted revenge, ill humour, wantonness inside neighbor's get writ assistance.' Tudor, Life (1823), 68. vicious. showing denounced—the precise here: 'Now branches man's castle; whilst quiet, guarded prince castle. writ, declared legal, totally annihilate privilege. Customhouse please; commanded permit entry. Their menial servants locks, bars, way: malice man, court, inquire. Bare sufficient.' 66—67. 46 philosophy expressed Butler speaking Agnello 269 20, 32, 6, 145. abhorrent laws.' again exceptional circumstances. fire fugitive building, made. absent extraordinary yield issues cause. Johnson 333 14, 367, 369, 92 436; Trupiano 334 699, 705, 1229, 1232, 1663; McDonald 335 451, 454—455, 191, 192—193, 153. As 455—456, 193: 47 serves high function. Absent grave emergency, intrpo sed police. done shield safe haven illegal activities. objective mind might precious entrust discretion job detection criminals. Power heady thing; shows acting own trusted. pass desires true excuse seek exemption mandate exigencies imperative.' 48 case, agreed let in, got sought. getting whole elapsed arrest. officer's convenience: 49 'Q. Could you just your hours demanded entry? A. not. students release o'clock. office three-thirty take my reports.' 50 flimsy denying afforded 51 little excluding limiting kinds warrants inveighed against—the writs assistance Cf. Lee 343 747, 762, 72 967, 976, 96 1270; Schwartz Texas, 344 199, 205, 73 232, 236, 97 231. Chief Vinson wrote Nueslein Columbia, App.D.C. 85, 87, 115 690, 692, while 'was written colonies,' 'gives abuses.' Ala.L.Rev. 314; Vand.L.Rev. 820; 63 Harv.L.Rev. 349. uncontrolled refuge judiciary rather invaded. tend officious; inspectors, citizen, exception. 52 live era 'when politically controlled grown series minor infractions liberties.' U. Chi.L.Rev. 733, 740. One another. important. narcotic peddlers, rapists, kidnappers, murderers, elements. seen, once heyday suppress nonconformists. explanation think subversives seem interest fear suffer strongly held some. Like notions obtain shortcuts pursuit pattern appears whenever seeks compulsive citizen. Legislative Committees (Watkins 354 178, 77 1173, 1273; Sweezy New Hampshire, 234 1203, 1311), one-man grand juries (In re Oliver, 257, 682), marshals Groban, 352 330, 515, 376), (Rochin California, 342 165, 183; 976; Leyra Denno, 347 556, 74 716, 98 948), sometimes requirements above official's square Rights. 53 dispensing Evidence abundant. extreme decay; suggest show proof fruits instrumentalities Where considerations safety involved, justify inference 'probable cause' clearly investigation undertaken. Experience facilities maintained. sufficient issuance test required account recognize quite graver situations. ignored, policeman's proceedings' squarely true, seems plain relieves altogether appropriate owner's consent. 54 overall, deal. Figures submitted Department mostly cooperative entrance inspectors.2 28,081 1954; 25,021 1955; 35,120 1956; 33,573 1957; 36,119 1958. instances number estimated average year. Submission overwhelming majority populace indicates peril program. rebel year (cf. Whyte, Organization Man) price full vigor. 55 England—a nation less mindful keenly conscious liberties—has denies inspector, needed. Public Act 1936, Geo. & Edw. 8, c. 49, 285—287; Vines Governors, J.P. 244 (Q.B.1899); Robinson Corporatio Sutherland, (1899) Q.B. 751; Wimbledon Urban Counsel Hastings, 87 L.T.Rep. (5 N.S.) 118 (K.B.1902); Consett Council Crawford, (1903) K.B. Halsbury's Laws (2d ed. 1937), 102, note m. 56 still command lowliest land say-so official. constitutes actual menace forthwith. 66. complete text speech extant, notes Horace Gray, Quincy's Massachusetts Reports 1761—1762, App. I, 469 seq. Tudor's contains events reaction 61. said: 'Otis flame fire; promptitude classical allusions, depth research, rapid summary dates, profusion authorities, prophetic glance eyes futurity, torrent impetuous eloquence, hurried away him. born. seeds patriots heroes, defend Non sine Diis animosus infans; vigorous youth, sown. Every immense crouded appeared me go did, ready arms Assistance. Then there, scene opposition, Great Britain. child fifteen years, i.e. 1776, grew manhood himself free.' 60—61. relied heavily view Professor Wigmore. Wigmore, (3rd 1940), 2264. Nearly early contained Records America, collection compiled Library Congress association University Carolina 1949. microfim. volumes Session available various library collections throughout country. typical statute Laws, November 1773, LXXIV, LXXX. times LXXIII. 1717, VII. Other allowing manufacture items trade. See, e.g., Virginia II (1742), IV (pork beef); III (1772), (flour bread); Pennsylvania 1722, CCLII 1727, CCXCV (beef pork); 1729—1730, CCCXVI (hemp). 1715, XLVI (tobacco); 1756, XLVI; Laws. 1758, 3, X. Givner State, 210 Md. 484, 492—494, 124 A.2d 764, 768—769. (originally Article 23, 26) pari materia' 492, 768. Nov. XVII, since 1761. CCCCLXXX. April 1787, XXIII. MXXXI. 1789, VIII, 5. 1792, LXV, VII; 1793, LVI; 1784, Ordinances, 1801—1802, 6. oldest Am.J. (Jan. 1945), 49. Howard, Administration Natural Disease 1797—1920 (1924), 140. id., 145—146. example, 1880 4,292 nuisances inspected inspectors. 1890 34,138 inspections. Compare Kotch Board River Port Pilot Com'rs, 330 552, 910, 91 1093, 837, Brown Education, 347, 483, 686, 873. keeps record annually. All dwellings. figures last five follows: 1954, inspections; 1955, 1956, 1957, Memorandum Appellee Request 2. estimates per 57 cities codes studied Renewal Administration, violations. Provisions Housing Codes Various Cities, Bulletin (published Home Finance Agency 1956). discussion Renewal, Note, 504. 2, (1733); Car. (1662); (1663); Will. (1696). purports authorize dwellings What developed concerning long-standing measures acquiescence policy never tested procedure definitive authoritative way. Plainly faced adjudications duration, change resisted patterns built them.

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