Document: 534 U.S. 266122 S.Ct. 744151 L.Ed.2d 740 UNITED STATES, PETITIONERv.RALPH ARVIZU No. 00-1519. United States Supreme Court Argued November 27, 2001Decided January 15, 2002 Syllabus Respondent was stopped by Border Patrol Agent Stoddard while driving on an unpaved road in a remote area of southeastern Arizona. A search his vehicle revealed more than 100 pounds marijuana, and he charged with possession intent to distribute. The Federal District denied respondents motion suppress, citing number facts that gave reasonable suspicion stop the vehicle. Ninth Circuit reversed. In its view, fact-specific weighing circumstances or other multi-factor tests introduced uncertainty unpredictability into Fourth Amendment analysis, making it necessary clearly delimit factors officer may consider stops such as this one. It then held several relied upon carried little no weight reasonable-suspicion calculus remaining were not enough render permissible. Held: Considering totality giving due factual inferences drawn Judge, had believe respondent engaged illegal activity. Because balance between public interest individuals right personal security, v. Brignoni-Ponce, 422 873, 878, tilts favor standard less probable cause brief investigatory persons vehicles, is satisfied if officers action supported criminal activity be afoot, Sokolow, 490 1, 7. determinations, reviewing courts must look at each case see whether detaining has particularized objective basis for suspecting legal wrongdoing. See, e.g., Cortez, 449 411, 417418. This process allows draw their own experiences specialized training make from deductions about cumulative information available. Id., 418. Circuits methodology departs sharply these teachings, reached wrong result case. Its evaluation rejection certain isolation does take account circumstances, Courts cases have understood phrase. court appeared Stoddards observations itself susceptible innocent explanation entitled weight. Terry Ohio, 392 however, precludes sort divide-and-conquer analysis. And view consideration reduce troubling also runs counter underestimates standards usefulness guiding field. de novo appellate review determinations has, inter alia, tendency unify precedent capacity provide law enforcement tools reach correct decision beforehand. Ornelas States, 517 690, 691, 697698. approach would seriously undermine principle governing existence vel non suspicion. Here, infer observations, registration check, border patrol experience set out route used drug smugglers intended pass through during shift change; Stoddard's assessment reactions passengers some Although alone explanation, are probative others, taken together, they sufficed form stopping Pp. 611. 232 F. 3d 1241, reversed remanded. Rehnquist, C.J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Scalia, J., filed concurring opinion. On writ certiorari united states appeals ninth circuit Chief Justice Rehnquist 1 Ralph Arvizu agent turned up marijuana. Arizona but Appeals course opinion, categorized simply bounds deciding there stop. We hold contrary our prior decisions 2 afternoon 1998, Clinton working checkpoint along Highway 191 approximately 30 miles north Douglas, App. 22, 24. See Appendix, infra (containing map noting location points important case). Douglas population 13,000 situated States-Mexico part State. Only two highways lead Douglas. 157. leads Interstate 10, which passes Tucson Phoenix. State 80 heads northeast populated areas toward New Mexico, skirting south east portion Coronado National Forest lies 20 Douglas.1 3 located intersection Rucker Canyon Road, east-west connects Forest. When operational, agents traffic coordinated effort stem flow immigration smuggling across international border. id., 2021. Agents use roving patrols apprehend trying circumvent taking back roads, including those roads sparsely national forest. 2122, 26, 80. Magnetic sensors, intrusion devices, facilitate efforts patrolling areas. 25. Directionally sensitive, sensors signal passage consistent activities. Ibid.; Tr. Oral Arg. 2324. 4 Sensors only northbound besides Highways 80: Leslie Road. Road roughly parallel 191, halfway Forest, ends when intersects beyond 10-mile stretch leading very rarely traveled except local ranchers forest service personnel. 26. Smugglers commonly try avoid heading west thence Kuykendall Cutoff primitive dirt 12 191. 2930. From there, can gain access 30. 5 Around 2:15 p.m., received report via radio sensor triggered. significant reasons. First, suggested him might checkpoint. 27. Second, timing coincided point begin change, leaves un-patrolled. 47. knew alien did extensive scouting seemed most active en Another told same gone off weeks before apprehended minivan using witnessed occupants throwing bundles marijuana door. 6 drove eastbound investigate. As so, another 29. indicated triggered first westbound He continued east, passing saw dust trail approaching half mile away. 31. seen any vehicles and, based timing, believed one tripped sensors. 3132. pulled side slight slant so could get good oncoming passed by. 32. 7 minivan, type automobile used. 33. approached, slowed dramatically, 5055 2530 per hour. 32, 57. five inside. An adult man driving, woman sat front passenger seat, three children back. 3334. driver stiff posture rigid. pretend there. thought suspicious because over what going on, drivers give friendly wave. 59. noticed knees sitting seat unusually high, feet propped cargo floor. 34. 8 At point, decided closer look, began follow 3435. Shortly thereafter, all children, though still facing forward, put hands time wave abnormal pattern. 35, 61. looked being instructed. Their odd waving four minutes. 73. 9 Several hundred intersection, signaled turn. 36. off, just approached abruptly onto Kuykendall. turn made last place allowed 37. Also, Kuykendall, passable sedan van, rougher either normal four-wheel-drive vehicles. 36, 6364. recognize encounter patrol, 37, think likely coming picnic outing. aware grounds Turkey Creek, following way up. 54. Boy Scout camp 31, 53, 54, intersection. never anyone picnicking sightseeing near where went off. 75. 10 radioed check learned registered address blocks notorious narcotics smuggling. 3738, 6667. After receiving information, 38. name Arvizu. asked mind inside searched 43. agreed, discovered black duffel bag under seat. 4546. containing behind rear 46. all, van contained 128.85 worth estimated $99,080. Brief 8. 11 distribute violation 21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1) (1994 ed.). moved suppress arguing among things required Amendment. holding hearing testified, ruled otherwise. Pet. Cert. 21a. pointed described above noted particularly recreational been accessible paved road, unnecessary 40-to-50-mile trip roads. 22a. F.3d 1241 (2000). multi factor degree 1248 (internal quotation marks omitted). therefore attempt[ed] describe extent considered involv[ing] respondent. Ibid. characterizing analysis relying list factors, proceeded examine slowing down, failure acknowledge Stoddard, raised position children's knees, calculus. smugglers, temporal proximity minivans 1251. granted importance federal laws. 532 1065 (2001). 13 prohibits unreasonable searches seizures Government, protections extend fall short traditional arrest. (1968); 417 (1981). 878 (1975), cases, (1989) (quoting Terry, supra, 30). U.S., (An justified manifestation person is, be, activity). 14 discussing how should we said repeatedly 417-418. available them well elude untrained person. 699 (1996) (reviewing resident judges officers). reliance mere hunch insufficient justify stop, likelihood need rise level cause, falls considerably satisfying preponderance evidence standard, 15 Our recognized concept somewhat abstract. Ornelas, 696 (principle finely-tuned standar[d]); (the sufficient authorize police elusive concept). But deliberately avoided reducing neat rules, 695696 Illinois Gates, 462 213, (1983)). example, rejected distinguished ongoing behavior probabilistic create[d] difficulty dealing relatively simple concepts embodied 78. 16 here teachings cases. seven listed observation readily F.3d, 1249-1251. observed petitioner companions walk forth, store window, confer another. series acts perhaps itself, that, warranted further investigation. 22. (holding themselves quite travel collectively amounted suspicion). 17 uncertainty, 1248, novo, rather abuse discretion. 691. There, reasoned prevent affirmance opposite identical different judicial districts circuit, possible latter allow clarify principles. 697. Other benefits approach, said, greater beforehand: Even many instances mosaic analyzed determination preclude squarely controlling another, viewed together usefully add body subject. 18 go reasoning undercut governs Take, positions deceleration down after spotting entirely response indicative presence provided support special rendering avoidance improbable. 12481249. stiffening posture, sighted unremarkable instance (such busy San Francisco highway) unusual rural Arizona). situation light familiarity customs inhabitants. 699. To circumscribed otherwise, nature rule. 19 instance, chose dismiss conduct too common particular 1249 (If every act ones contribute finding suspicion, vast majority American parents regularly within block homes). Yet involve children. suppression hearing, testified times, record suggests physically demonstrated well.2 who heard characterized methodical, mechanical, abnormal, certainly fact wonder why doing this. 25a. Though issue idiosyncratic actions, casually superior well-recognized inability reconstruct happened courtroom. Having given little-traveled knowledge commonsense inference leaving change shifts. family outing diminished away known Corroborating farther easier opposed elevated concealed compartment. Finally, reasons given, seeing mechanical-like waving, full minutes, argues rule holiday exists, possibility conduct. Wardlow, 528 119, 125 (2000) (that flight necessarily establish violation). Undoubtedly, others. Taken vehicle, meaning 22 judgment reversed, remanded proceedings 23 ordered. Notes: GRAPHIC OMITTED; SEE PRINTED OPINION. consists widely scattered sections land covering 1,780,000 acres southwestern Mexico. section includes Chiricahua, Dragoon, Peloncillo Mountain Ranges. [the waving] wasn't like instructed do so. They kind stuck me 35. 24 concurring. 25 I join Court, accords (1996), requiring nonetheless gives [the] . my dissent deferring (as findings fact) compatible review. 705. 26 today says Ante, 10. Methodical, even odd, deserve respect. this, amounts conclusion suspicious, (if standard) prerogative Appeals. So peculiar 27 review,

Category: 0