Legal Document

494 U.S. 541 110 S.Ct. 1288 108 L.Ed.2d 464 Danny SMITHv.OHIO. No. 89-5999. March 5, 1990. Syllabus As petitioner Smith was approached by two police officers, he threw the bag carrying onto his car's hood and, when asked, refused to reveal its contents. Although attempted protect bag, one officer opened it and discovered drug paraphernalia that provided probable cause for Smith's arrest evidence support conviction abuse. The Ohio Supreme Court upheld bag's warrantless search under exception searches incident arrest, finding constitutional because fruits justified followed. Held: A providing an cannot be as of arrest. While permits a lawfully arrested individual areas within immediate control, does not permit them any citizen without warrant or so long follows. Contrary State's argument, who attempts private property from inspection, after throwing on car respond officer's inquiry, clearly has abandoned property. Certiorari granted; 45 St. 3d 255, 544 N.E. 2d 239, reversed. PER CURIAM. 1 This case raises single question whether provides can nonetheless divided answered in affirmative, reasoning neither remote time nor place We disagree. 2 On June evening, companion exited residence entered parking lot YMCA, they were plainclothes officers Ashland, Ohio, Police Department. driving unmarked vehicle. Petitioner brown paper grocery with words "Kash 'n Karry" "Loaded Low Prices" printed outside manner later described "gingerly." Neither knew companion. One Officer Thomas, vehicle identifying himself, asked " 'come here minute.' St.3d 256, N.E.2d 240 (1989). did kept walking. When Thomas identified himself officer, "threw sack [his] turned face approaching." Ibid. what contained; respond; then rebuffed petitioner's attempt pushed hand away bag. sufficient 3 No contention been raised this reaching involved self-protective action necessary safety. See Terry v. 392 1, 88 1868, 20 889 (1968). Fourth Amendment may brief detention basis only "reasonable, articulable suspicion" contains contraband criminal activity, United States Place, 462 696, 702, 103 2637, 2642, 77 (1983), proscribes—except certain well-defined circumstances—the unless accomplished pursuant judicial issued upon cause. See, e.g., Skinner Railway Labor Executives' Assn., 489 602, 619, 109 1402, 1414, 639 (1989); Mincey Arizona, 437 385, 390, 98 2408, 2412, 57 290 (1978); Katz States, 389 347, 357, 507, 514, 19 576 (1967). That guarantee protects alike "traveler carries toothbrush few articles clothing bag" "the sophisticated executive locked attache case." Ross, 456 798, 822, 102 2157, 2171, 72 572 (1982). Chadwick, 433 14-15, 97 2476, 2485, 53 538 (1977); Chimel California, 395 752, 763, 89 2034, 2040, 23 685 (1969). court stated until St.3d, at 257, 258, N.E.2d, 241, 242. It held 4 reasoning, however, "justify[ing] same . arrest," just "will do." Johnson 333 10, 16-17, 68 367, 370, 92 L.Ed. 436 (1948). we have had occasion past observe, "[i]t is axiomatic precede serve part justification." Sibron New York, 40, 63, 1889, 1902, 917 (1968); see also Henry 361 98, 102, 80 168, 171, 134 (1959); Rawlings Kentucky, 448 111, n. 6, 100 2556, 2564, 65 633 (1980). person control. Court's immediately 5 State defend Court, but rather contends Thomas. Abel 362 217, 683, 698, 668 (1960); Hester 265 57, 58, 44 445, 446, 898 (1924). argument unanimously rejected 263, 246, 6; id., 266, 249 (Sweeney, J., dissenting), 273-274, 10 (Wright, no reason disturb conclusion. state properly recognized, Cf. Rios 364 253, 262, 1431, 1437, 1688 (1960). 6 motion leave proceed forma pauperis petition writ certiorari are granted, judgment 7 Reversed. 8 Justice MARSHALL, dissenting. 9 I agree limited information before us appears indicate erred decision below, continue believe summary dispositions deprive litigants fair opportunity heard merits significantly increase risk erroneous decision. Pennsylvania Bruder, 488 9, 11-12, 205, 207, 172 (1988) (MARSHALL, dissenting); Rhodes Stewart, 4-5, 202, 204, Buchanan Stanships, Inc., 485 265, 269-270, 1130, 1132, 99 289 Commissioner McCoy, 484 3, 7-8, 219-20, (1987) dissenting). therefore dissent today reverse summarily below.

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