Legal Document

475 U.S. 791 106 S.Ct. 1623 89 L.Ed.2d 803 UNITED STATES, petitioner,v.Michael Robert QUINN. No. 84-1717 Supreme Court of the United States April 21, 1986 On writ certiorari to Appeals for Ninth Circuit. PER CURIAM. 1 The is dismissed as improvidently granted. 2 CHIEF JUSTICE BURGER, with whom Justice BLACKMUN joins, dissenting. 3 We granted decide following question: 4 "Whether a defendant has Fourth Amendment expectation privacy that entitles him challenge search boat, which he had never personally used prior and been out his custody control two months at time search, on grounds was owner boat coventurer in criminal enterprise involving use by others smuggle marijuana possessory interest." 5 question presented one considerable significance. It frequently arises prosecutions because drug smugglers often purchase vessels or airplanes enterprises. Given massive infusion dangerous drugs into this country water air we have an obligation issue presented. problem presents great danger any foreign power fiscal problem. 6 * Here are uncontested facts: Having solicited Hunt assist drug-smuggling scheme, respondent Quinn purchased 54-foot vessel—the Sea Otter—and gave possession Hunt. took Otter Colombia picked up roughly 12,000 pounds marijuana, then delivered Quinn's ranch California. June 27, 1979, California Fish Game officials, suspecting engaged unlawful fishing operations, boarded vessel where they observed "debris" plain view. They left notified Coast Guard Customs Service their suspicions marijuana-smuggling operation. 7 Federal officials intercepted sea boarded. crew could not produce documentation boat. admitted contacted either Immigration Naturalization Service, required law, when arrived coast. nearby station. forward holds were pumped material later identified discovered. 8 arrested charged importation marijuana. He moved suppress all evidence seized obtained result stop Otter, arguing rights violated. District found turned over no standing contest search. entered conditional guilty plea, preserving right appeal Court's decision lacked 9 A divided panel Circuit reversed remanded. 751 F.2d 980 (1984). majority based "conjunction" several factors: ownership vessel; "[h]is interest seized, arising from joint venture Hunt"; "[t]he fact searched, returning delivery [Quinn] was, thus, pursuing purpose [Quinn's] venture"; "reasonable precautions taken preserve privacy." Id., 981. II 10 record should reverse Appeals. axiomatic guarantee against unreasonable searches seizures protects personal interests, property rights. Thus, "capacity claim protection depends upon invaded place but whether person who claims legitimate place." Rakas v. Illinois, 439 128, 143, 99 421, 430, 58 387 (1978). 11 clear Quinn, notwithstanding naked title made would give rise privacy. At kept private quarters it repository effects. specific having operate States. Moreover, did exert boat: partner complete times preceding years thereafter while commercial Costa Rica. These facts afford basis Otter. 12 Appeals' contrary conclusion rests fundamental misconception scope Amendment. Under reasoning Appeals, owner's extend just single fleet vessels, airplanes, trucks merely held legal sent these conveyances illegal enterprise. But only extends what people seek "preserve private." Katz States, 389 347, 351, 88 507, 511, 19 576 (1967). reasoned since hold vessel, F.2d, Even if inference warranted facts, irrelevant there indication whatsoever. "Fourth which, like some other constitutional rights, may be vicariously asserted." supra, 133-134, 425 (emphasis added). That someone than holder steps indicating bearing 13 status "co-venturer" those exerted contraband similarly misguided. flawed analysis, sufficient link incriminate him, guarantees attach. established rule suppression "can successfully urged whose violated itself, aggrieved solely introduction damaging evidence. Coconspirators codefendants accorded special standing." Alderman 394 165, 171-172, 961, 965, 22 176 (1969) Unless can demonstrate reasonable neither involvement enterprise, see Alderman, nor evidence, Salvucci, 448 83, 100 2547, 65 619 (1980); Rawlings Kentucky, 98, 2556, 633 (1980), establishes violation. 14 Court, therefore, correctly manifested I regard error gravest consequences allow erroneous holding stand being flooded its borders drugs. therefore judgment

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