Document: 518 U.S. 938116 S.Ct. 2485135 L.Ed.2d 1031 PENNSYLVANIAv.EDWIN LABRON No. 95-1691 On Petition for Writ of Certiorari to the Supreme Court Pennsylvania, Eastern District. PENNSYLVANIA v. RANDY LEE KILGORE 95-1738 Middle Nos. and 95-1738. Decided July 1, 1996 Per Curiam. 1 In these two cases, Pennsylvania held that Fourth Amendment, as applied States through Fourteenth, requires police obtain a warrant before searching an automobile unless exigent circumstances are present. Because holdings rest on incorrect reading exception Amendment's requirement, we grant petitions certiorari reverse. 2 Labron, 95-1691, observed respondent Labron others engaging in series drug transactions street Philadelphia. The arrested suspects, searched trunk car from which drugs had been produced, found bags containing cocaine. agreed with trial court (but not intermediate appeals, 428 Pa. Super. 616, 626 A. 2d 646 (1993), whose judgment it reversed) this evidence should be suppressed. ___ ___, 669 917 (1995). After surveying our precedents well some its own decisions, "conclude[d] Commonwealth's jurisprudence has long required both existence probable cause presence justify warrantless search." Id., at A.2d, 924. Satisfied time secure warrant, id., 924-925, "the search stationary vehicle violated constitutional guarantees," 3 Kilgore, 95-1738, undercover informant buy Randy Lee Kilgore's accomplice, Kelly Jo Kilgore. To drugs, drove parking lot where deal was made farmhouse she met Kilgore obtained drugs. were delivered Kilgores arrested, consent owner also pickup truck; they seen walking truck, parked driveway farmhouse. turned up cocaine truck's floor. denied motion suppress cocaine, holding officers make search. appellate affirmed. 437 491, 650 462 (1994). reversed, citing although there A.2d (1995), Amendment because no justified failure ___. 4 rule permitting searches automobiles is limited cases "`unforeseen involving [are] coupled cause.'" (emphasis deleted) Pa., 2d, 924, quoting Commonwealth White, 896, 901 This incorrect. Our first establishing requirement based automobile's "ready mobility," exigency sufficient excuse once conduct clear. California Carney, 471 U. S. 386, 390-391 (1985) (tracing history exception); Carroll United States, 267 132 (1925). More recent provide further justification: individual's reduced expectation privacy automobile, owing pervasive regulation. supra, 391-392. If readily mobile exists believe contains contraband, thus permits without more. 393. As state courts found, cases: Police put searched, act ways suggested he his truck. We conclude did violate Amendment. 5 Respondent claims have jurisdiction review case Court's opinion rests adequate independent ground, viz., "this exception." disagree. language quoted "plain statement" tell us federal [were] being used only purpose guidance, d[id] themselves compel result ha[d] reached." Michigan Long, 463 1032, 1041 (1983). discuss several decisions; noted, however, those relied analysis exception, see, e. g., 921 (observing Holzer, 480 93, 103, 389 101, 106 (1978), cited Coolidge New Hampshire, 403 443 (1971)); 924 (stating rested part upon Chambers Maroney, 399 42 (1970)). law appears "interwoven law, . adequacy independence any possible ground clear face opinion." S., 1040-1041. Labron's secure. Ibid. case, meanwhile, explicit conclusion officers' Amendment; well. 6 proceed forma pauperis granted. writs granted, judgments remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion. 7 It so ordered. 8 Justice Stevens, whom Ginsburg joins, dissenting. 9 decisions summarily reverses today trilogy decided by within three days each other. See (1995) (1995 WL 790060); 896 (1995); (1995).1 concluded citizens protected seizures their absent circumstances. But fair White (the challenged Court) (which today) demonstrates almost certainly court's consideration Constitution. For reason, I do over decision just would White. 28 C. Section(s) 1257(a).2 Furthermore, when considered light more carefully reasoned reason disturb finding since will affirmed remand. 10 per curiam decision, concludes turn referred 25-year-old Court, reference " `interwoven law.'" Ante, (citing 1040 (1983)). These references, seem me rather short thread weave-let alone hang-our jurisdiction. 11 my opinion, best plain grounds. majority below includes references four sources law: Federal Constitution cases. None anything other than law. 12 begins proposition, issue here, Article I, generally require predicated issued neutral detached magistrate." 917, 920 (citations omitted). then reviews so-called "automobile exception" passages (1925), established quotes passage 42, 52 (1970),3 support proposition under emphasizes here (that itself vehicle). ___-___, 920-921. 13 Rather follow developments specifically immediately notes "[w]hen reviewing Commonwealth, constantly `there such [that] protections applicable person's car.' (1978) (1971))." added). From point onward, decision's remaining 30 citations recognition sole trio "exigent circumstance" "based upon" Chambers. 923-924. Every citation 14 same day reached identical regarding circumstances" rule, worth reviewing. hesitated considering merits "to address claim waived illegal Section set forth manner required." claim, "meritless." "White clearly raises Constitution, cites relates claim. That sufficient." 899. 15 Having importance defendant's argument, went And none subsequent effectively converted into absolute allowing cause. 899-901; n. 6, infra (noting courts' refer area may intentional ignorant). Stressing evaluation makes State rejected York Belton, 453 454 (1981) 902-903.4 16 Notably, asked even though understanding Pennsylvania's note lower explicitly read right, right. Haskins, 183880, *2 (Pa. Super., Apr. 18, 1996) ("In order must still show (1996). reiterated showing"); see Yedinak, 179935, *5, 11, ("The recently provides greater protection regard White"). 17 state-law nature White-and well-is perfectly reflected dissents penned Castille. instances, Castille recognizes, majority, 18 instance, main defendant standing challenge constitutionality own. making noted correctly characterizes `automobile exception' requirement." 926 reviewed violations note: "Under looks additional factors determine whether criminal admission against him." 927. 19 stated believed requirements se regardless how much warrant," 909 added), "urge adoption bright line allow all cause," 909-910. Of course, if interpreting federal, state, luxury "urging adoption" particular rule.5 20 range statements source worthwhile adopted determining "independent adequate" "Because [our] respect courts, [a] desire avoid advisory opinions, [did] wish continue decide issues go beyond review, or reconsider clarify grounds decisions." 1040. When "a fairly primarily interwoven opinion," held, so. 21 Given nearly exclusive above, seems take extends Long original scope, but stands rationale head. does "primarily" law; understood it, briefing stay out demonstrates, every indication Nor "interwoven" Both cite quarter-century old; implicitly absence due poor legal research, trust ability understand choose deviate Certainly respectful approach, question close conscious depart error law.6 22 reliance therefore, quite different spurred There, "referred twice otherwise exclusively law." 1037 Court. 1037, 2; 413 Mich. 461, 473-486, 320 N. W. 866, 870-875 (1982) (Coleman, J., dissenting, Moody, concurring dissenting part). Indeed, critical "Court Appeals erroneously principles Terry Ohio." 471, 869 (citation omitted).7 presents precisely opposite situation: refers once, relies 23 reasons, merit summary reversal reversed. Although touch upon, place historical seizure recognizes broad interpretation given prohibition searches. therefore seriously reasoning, independence, resources advanced today's decision. 24 While issued. jurisdiction-only one law-must context heavily remain circumstance, rationales supporting simply petition denied. 25 many prior occasions, unfortunate effects Long. See, e.g., Harris Reed, 489 255, 266-267 (1989) (Stevens, concurring); Delaware Van Arsdall, 475 673, 689-708 (1986) dissenting); Montana Hall, 481 400, 411 (1987) Ponte Real, 501-503 part); Arizona Evans, 514 ___-___ (Ginsburg, dissenting). clearer true most 5, exacerbate intolerable degree. Particularly primary role-"to protect rights individual embodied Constitution," Harris, 267-the reverse resting tenuously imprudent entirely "with sound administration discretionary docket." Ponte, 502-503. 26 expressly indicated intent extend constitution available Edmunds, 526 374, 586 887 (1991) (setting test Constitution); Rosenfelt, 634-637, 662 1131, 1140-1141 (reviewing extending Constitution). merely task harder requiring purge latter, despite value insights can related By "unceremoniously reversing judgment," 701 dissenting), demonstrate lack sophistication 699. 27 harms particularly unnecessary likely reinvigorate extended need appropriate talismanic already has, "Commonwealth's [requires] added).8 identical, unnecessarily lost. respectfully dissent. Each division Even if, concludes, ante, 3-4, element residual doubt suggests drew inspiration interpretations think expending time-or Court-simply scour infra, 6-11. "`[f]or purposes, [there is] difference between hand seizing presenting magistrate carrying immediate warrant.'" (quoting permissible incident arrest, dissent later presented appeal necessary permit 910. Belton raised parties, majority's discussion dicta, emphasizing emphasis presented: Whether circumstance. author case-law reveal according independently Therefore, Appellant sharply curtail interest recognized Court." 905. end, find interesting 386 (1985), modern 632-634, 1139 Camacho, 425 567, 625 1242 conflict issue. Superior discrepancy past speak searches" like here. 576, 2, 1247, 2. concluding "`automobile exception'" "simply dated keeping tenor current 577, Rosenfelt alternative explanation conflict-and reversed today. Citing "jettison[ed]" exigency, essentially converting exists. 633, 644-645, 1139, 1145. Noting could yet violation. appeal. 674 1070 (1996) (table). occasions taken dispute about relationship opinions far case. Illinois Rodriguez, 497 177, 182 (1990) (decision "rely (or mention) specific provision" Muniz, 496 582, 588, (state provision construed Florida Riley, 488 445, 448, mentioned twice, "focused dealing Amendment"); Chesternut, 486 571, (1988) "said nothing suggest Constitution's provided relief, entire cases"); Kentucky Stincer, 482 730, 735, "consistently respondent's ruling"); Maryland Garrison, 79, 83-84 (State pari materia have, done past. 503, part) (listing various reversals followed affirming grounds); dissenting) (same).

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