Legal Document

332 U.S. 581 68 Supreme Court Reporter 222 92 L.Ed. 210 UNITED STATESv.DI RE. Number 61. Argued Oct. 17, 1947. Decided Jan. 5, 1948. Mr. Frederick Bernays Wiener, of Providence, R.I., for petitioner. Charles Judge McDonough, New York City, respondent. Justice JACKSON delivered the opinion Court. 1 Michael Di In re was convicted on a charge knowingly possessing counterfeit gasoline ration coupons in violation § 301 Second War Powers Act, 1942.1 The decisive evidence that obtained by search his person, after he arrested without warrant any kind. Circuit Appeals, Circuit, 159 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 818, considered question as to timeliness objection this eliminated its disposition merits District Court, and, one judge dissenting, it held both and arrest have been illegal. Government granted certiorari,2 raising no other than correctness holding Appeals fruit an illegal search. 2 An investigator Office Price Administration informed Reed buy from certain Buttitta at named place City Buffalo, York. detective Buffalo Police Department trailed Buttitta's car finally came upon parked appointed place. They went found informer Reed, only occupant rear seat, hand two which later proved be counterfeit. being asked, said them Buttitta, who sitting driver's seat. Beside sat Re. All three were taken into custody, 'frisked' make sure they had weapons then police station. Here complied with direction put contents pockets table. Two several fuel oil laid out. He street. About hours later, questioning, 'booked' thoroughly searched. One hundred inventory envelope concealed between shirt underwear. These, well earlier disclosed, Their introduction evidence, over defendant, court below require reversal conviction.3 I. 3 now defends alternative grounds: 1, justified incident lawful arrest; 2, person vehicle reasonably believed carrying contraband. We consider second ground first. 4 claim is officers rights, warrant, reasonable cause believe carries contraband, incidentally may such when contraband sought character might person. This contention calls, first, determination whether circumstances gave right car. 5 belief automobile more vulnerable property has source decision Carroll versus United States, 267 132, 45 280, 69 543, 39 American Law Reports 790. That made validity upheld under seizure provisions enacted enforcemen National Prohibition Act alone. Transportation liquor subjected first liquor, found, confiscation, 'in thereof' arrest.4 reviewed legislative history enforcement legislation concluded (267 page 147, 283), 'The intent Congress distinction necessity searching private dwellings automobiles road vehicles in5 thus clearly established Stanley Amendment. Is consistent Fourth Amendment? think is. Amendment does not denounce all searches or seizures, but are unreasonable.' progeny case likewise dealt seizures Act. Husty 282 694, 51 240, 75 629, 74 1407. 6 Obviously should reluctant decide authorized unreasonable therefore unconstitutional. view strong presumption constitutionality due Congress, especially turn what 'reasonable,' falls short establishing doctrine that, legislation, nonetheless subject federal statutes. never yet so. most can some language used applied residence fixed premises, even absence legislation. 7 need whether, Congressional authorization controlling case, contains before us there appears itself. No spot seems thought it, forfeiture. nature tickets, involved, would necessary advantageous except When admissibility arose trial court, counsel b en fact concerning resolved jury. 8 Assuming, however, deciding, car, did confer incidental Re? It admitted authority effect, either statute precedent we asked extend assumed include occupants because 'common sense demands rights exist where small article could easily person.' 9 argument points up different relation crime us. automobile, pointed out, almost indispensable instrumentality large-scale itself treated somewhat offender became But direct offending vehicle, though better reason assume passenger loaded remain innocent knowledge car's cargo must know pieces paper carried driver. 10 Covernment says contend armed only, persons it. house conceal quite readily Necessity, advanced support search, seem guests issued none issued. By parity reasoning disclaims house, suppose if valid execution. How say confers greater latitude permit? 11 see expanding ruling justify convinced mere presence suspected loses immunities otherwise entitled. II. 12 defended Re, relied trial, justifiably him conferred If lawfully arrested, questioned ensuing permissible. Hence examine law arrest. 13 Some members rest their conclusion invalid 180 Code Criminal Procedure requires officer making inform suspect arrest, during commission pursuit escape.6 raised Bench assert invalidity trial. Had done so met proof themselves show effectively informed, fell statutory exception. proceedings develop facts Re's connection requirement. Inasmuch issue lead exploration waiver defense below, indeed petition here, applicability if, contends, lack express declaration unnecessary supplied required information, do undertake determine record satisfied provision law. 14 challenged courts violated another subject. arresting officer, state derived although crime, s 177 Procedure, also legality paragraph thereof.7 originally argued paragraphs State law, supplemental brief withdraws suggestion 'that respondent subsection section Procedure.' Instead, urges 'the matter determined uniform rule applicable courts.' 15 believe, takes determines validity. earliest acts principle still retained, judicial process offense 'agreeably usual mode against offenders State.'8 There equally appropriate standard test arrests those cases rule. Indeed enactment specific imply general 16 Turning Acts find controls here purports create try fashion materials meager, inconsistent inconclusive. Bureau Investigation 'to f r felonies committed cognizable laws grounds guilty felony likelihood escaping shall immediately committing officer.'9 However, marshals deputies 'shall power States it,'10 given same powers sheriffs have, executing thereof.11 17 denouncing unlawful misdemeanor, provided apply 'arresting attempting commit agent employee, committed, having felony.'12 Thus sources, while yielding common provisions, contain many inconsistencies. act lays down offenses. None supersede And applies which, offense, accompanied Therefore provides stand fall. 18 Since, misdemeanor officer's presence, seek learn man custody. testified tell for. After station 'booked,' charge. indicted Ration Order 5(c) Administrator. appeal suggested probable existed believing conspiracy 37 Code,13 time suggests known writing utter true purpose defrauding 28 Code.14 19 communicated books brought inquiry afforded grounds. 20 concedes possible open visibly coupons. Of course, previous information sell enough hard how violating Code. 21 relevant difference former declares possession coupon latter defines consists merely instrument's character, true. implicating pointing coupons, unless warranted inference. course hinting further elements statute. III. 22 Government's relies heavily ground. Reed's informer, questionable shown. authorize inference participation Buttitta-Reed sale, fails all. 23 indicating heard took part conversation certainly knew transaction presence. called witness Government, nor shown unavailable, testimony helpful bringing home 24 sustained peculiar case. 'accompanies criminal rendezvous' cannot bystander, forceful circumstances, farfetched meeting secretive suspicious hide-out broad daylight, plain sight passersby, public street large city, alleged substantive necessarily involve criminal. witnessed passing papers hand, follow saw appeared expert establish fact. Presumptions guilt lightly indulged meetings. 25 Moreover, whatever suspicion result diminished, destroyed, present out party. doubt willingly permitted. Yet incriminate Any everyone scene party disappear singles IV. 26 makes, times repeats, effect infer protest once innocence, silently accepted command go along undoubted resist will uphold resistance proper cases. hardly penalize failure display spirit hold futile debates legal issues highway A layman expedient hazard own judgment correct incorrect, acting upon. likely fruitless unseemly controversy street, additional resisting officer. charge, supposed dissuaded profession innocence. 27 placed submit custody reserve defenses neutral tribunals erected judging engage discussion unwarranted. Probable submissiveness, innocence lost impaired neglect argue policeman. responsibility for, why, unhappy plight last resort fruits frequent occasion point turns up.15 good bad starts change success. V. 29 meet many, necessity. made, difficult uncertain. forefathers, consulting lessons history, designed our Constitution obstacles way too permeating surveillance, seemed danger free people escape criminals punishment. Taking us, beyond executed them. conviction based stand. 30 Affirmed. 31 CHIEF JUSTICE BLACK dissent. 50 U.S.C.App. Supp. V, 633, U.S.C.A.Appendix, 633. 331 800, 67 1348. Cir., 818. Section 26, Title II follows: 'When * discover transporting intoxicating liquors wagon, buggy, water air craft, duty seize therein transported contrary Whenever possessed illegally seized take team boat, conveyance, thereof. *' Annotated KF65 U5 40. 155, 286, intended reach destroy forbidden transportation forfeiture transporter incidental'; 158, 287, dependent seizing offend proceeding comes indicates. word 'in' erroneously printed 'is' reported provides: actual pursued escape.' See People Marendi, 213 N.Y. 600, 610, 107 Northeastern KF135 N59 1058, 1061. Cf. John Bad Elk 529, 729, 44 874; Christie Leachinsky (1947) Eng. 567. 'A peace may, '1. For attempted presence; '2. felony, '3. it.' September 24, 1789 (Ch. 20, 33, Statutes-at-Large 91), provided: 'That offence justice peace, magistrate agreeably state, expense imprisoned bailed, cae be, cognizance offence.' remained substantially similar day. KF62 591, 591. Ops.Atty.Gen. 85, 86. 48 1008, 49 77, 300a, 300a. 378, 504a, 504a. 425, 282, 504, 504. 877, 53a, 53a. 88, 88. 72, 72. See, example, Byars 273 28, 29, 47 248, 71 520.

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