Legal Document

414 U.S. 260 94 Supreme Court Reporter 488. 38 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 456 James E. GUSTAFSON, Petitioner,v.State of FLORIDA. Number 71—1669. Argued Oct. 9, 1973. Decided Dec. 11, Syllabus During the course a patdown search person petitioner, who had been arrested for not having his driver's license in possession, arresting officer seized marihuana cigarettes, unlawful possession which petitioner was subsequently tried and convicted. The State upheld conviction, concluding that leading to discovery marihuana, used as evidence petitioner's trial, unreasonable. Held: full suspect made incident lawful custodial arrest did violate Fourth Fourteenth Amendments, versus Robinson, 218, 467, 427, it is no constitutional significance that, contrary situation police regulations require be taken into custody or establish conditions under full-scale body should conducted, nor, relevant subjective fear suspicion he armed, since fact gives rise authority search. Pp. 263—266. 258 So.2d 1, affirmed. M. Russ, Orlando, Fla., petitioner. Barry Scott Richard, Miami, respondent. Mr. Justice REHNQUIST delivered opinion Court. 1 Petitioner Gustafson convicted Florida trial court marihuana. At introduced from him during on charge driving without an operator's license. District Appeals Florida, District, reversed holding led unreasonable Amendments. 243 615 (1971). turn decision, Gustafson, (1972), sought certiorari this We granted certiorari, 410 982, 93 1494, 36 177 (1973), set case argument with 427 also decided today. For reasons forth below, we affirm judgment Florida. 2 approximately a.m., January 12, 1969, Lieutenant Paul R. Smith, uniformed municipal Eau Gallie, routine patrol unmarked squad car when observed 1953 white Cadillac, bearing New York plates, south through town. Smith automobile weave across center line back right side road 'three four' times. testified two occupants Cadillac look back; after they apparently saw car, drove highway behind grocery store, then headed another city street. 3 point turned flashing light ordered over road. After stopping vehicle, asked driver, produce informed student left dormitory room neighboring Melbourne, placed failure have vehicle possession. It conceded by parties below probable cause upon learning took order transport stationhouse further inquiry.1 4 proceeded person. patted down clothing 'outside inside, & N Immigration Nationality Decisions checked belt, shirt pockets all around completely inside.' Upon completing patdown, testified, hand front coat pocket wearing. From extracted 'long chain' Benson Hedges cigarette box. 'opened (the box) appeared there were cigarettes box.2 shown training at department these me.' 5 * urges could evidentiary purpose conducted therefore weapons controlled standards laid Terry Ohio, 392 88 1868, 20 889 (1968). contends different experienced previous encounters case, offense 'benign trivial nature,' carrying mandatory minimum sentence Robinson arrested. points out here, unlike required take custody, nor policies requiring searches field. expressed own well-being others dealing 6 held today '(i)t establishes search, . only exception warrant requirement Amendment, but 'reasonable' Amendment.' U.S., 235, S.Ct., 477. Our decision indicates limitations supra, protective investigatory stop based less than are carried arrests. stated Robinson: 7 'The justification reason rests quite much need disarm does preserve later use trial. Agnello States, 269 20, 46 4, 70 L.Ed. 145 (1925); Abel 362 217, 80 683, 668 (1960). traditionally governing not, therefore, commuted stricter absence fruits particular crime made.' 234, 234. 8 Neither Chimel California, 395 752, 89 2034, 23 685 (1969), Peters York, 40, 1889, 917 (1968), relied purported limit traditional conduct arrestee arrest. 225—226, 228—229, 472, 473—474. Indeed, our indicates, has established Amendment law Weeks 232 383, 34 341, 58 652 (1914), rule both common early development American law. 230—233, 474—476. 9 Though here exist departmental policy establishing do find differences determinative issue. Id., 223 n. 2, 471.3 sufficient lawfully effectuated arrest, custody. In addition, makes clear, arguable 'evidentiary' controlling. 233, 477.4 while discover evidence, depend what may decide probability would found suspect.' II 10 hold, valid oeprator's license, taking entitled make Since moment indicate any himself armed. Having come box inspect it; inspection revealed homemade believed contain substance, seize them 'fruits, instrumentalities contraband' probative criminal conduct. Harris 331 145, 154—155, 67 1098, 1103—1104, 91 1399 (1947); Warden Hayden, 387 294, 299, 307, 87 1642, 1650, 18 782 (1967); Adams Williams, 407 143, 149, 92 1921, 1925, 32 612 (1972); 236, Surpeme 11 Affirmed. 12 STEWART, concurring. 13 seems me persuasive claim might minor traffic violated rights But such made. Instead, fully validity That being so, follows incidental constitutionally valid. To hold otherwise would, clear mark abrupt departure settled precedent. 14 MARSHALL, whom DOUGLAS BRENNAN join, dissenting. 15 respectfully dissent my 237, 477, 427. facts show Officer removed put seat opened box, disclosing cigarettes. As Brother STEWART ante, 266, challenge either respect lawfulness Smith's effect offense. Whether searched package before placing see 250—255, 483—486 (Marshall, J., dissenting), opening looking inside. 16 There believe, dangerous contained weapon. package's weight alone doubt indicated gun knife. event, even possible some sort weapon—say razor blade—there chance once officer's hands. connection whatsoever 17 argues, found, reasonable intoxicated justifying searching intoxicating drugs Leaving aside question whether intoxicants, absent committed involving intoxication, record support conclusion intoxicated. begin with, neither give sobriety test. See Fla.Stat.Ann. §§ 322.261 322.262 trouble getting difficulty standing up, slur speech answering questions. Nor weaved lane justify suspicion. careless-driving-by-weaving because simply enough evidence. If weaving itself, hard understand how eyes looked bleary, hardly surprising, place a.m. protect harm together car. went far beyond reasonably necessary achieve end. fell outside scope properly drawn 'search arrest' Amendment's requirement. reverse admitted Brief 9. removing chain clothing, told assisting scene check other passenger if permit so drive station. rolled He squal transported station, investigation. frisked car; charges against passenger. addition conviction review, charged license; dropped produced date. wrote about eight citations per week, three four every persons offender more likely reside Gallie. Finally, making always argues contended observation erratic motions created influence intoxicant. confronting noticed 'bleary.' intoxicated, thought confronted him. detect odor alcohol confrontation, suspected intoxication. alcohol, drugs. § 317.201

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