Legal Document

346 U.S. 545 74 Supreme Court Reporter 280 98 L.Ed. 281 SALSBURGv.STATE OF MARYLAND. Number 38. Argued Oct. 20, 1953. Decided Jan. 11, 1954. Mr. Herbert Myerberg, Baltimore, Md., for appellant. Ambrose T. Hartman, appellee, pro hac vice, by special leave of Court. Justice BURTON delivered the opinion 1 The ultimate issue here is whether Maryland has violated Equal Protection Clause Fourteenth Amendment authorizing its courts, in prosecutions Anne Arundel County certain gambling misdemeanors, to admit evidence procured illegal search or seizure. violation charged because Maryland, at same time, prohibits admission such like other counties, and, even County, many misdemeanors. For reasons hereafter stated, we hold that Maryland's action valid. 2 In 1952, police officers arrested appellant, Salsburg, and two men, a two-room building rear garage on Governor Ritchie Highway County. had no warrant but, when they received answer their knock locked door room, broke it open with an ax. Upon entering, found appellant companions, apparently engaged operating betting pool horse races, them. seized three telephones, adding machines, several racing forms much paraphernalia commonly used pool. State concedes entry, seizure were illegal. 3 Salsburg his companions brought trial Circuit making selling book result running race horses Flack's Md.Ann.Code 1951, Article 27, § 306.1 Before each accused moved quash warrant, suppress return evidence, dismiss proceeding against him, all ground depended upon illegally evidence. Each claimed was prohibited statute, known as Bouse Act, 1951 amendment Act which purported allow prosecution invalid Amendment.2 court admitted convicted sentenced serve six months House Correction well pay $1,000 plus costs. Appeals affirmed convictions Salsburg's neither them could complain illegality title interest premises searched. Rizzo versus 93 Atlantic Reporter, 2nd Series 280. As tenant premises, heard further argument constitutionality then court. 94 His case appeal. 28 United States Code KF62 (Supp. V) 1257(2), Annotated KF65 U5 1257(2). 4 history enlightening. Originally courts followed common-law practice admitting criminal without regard legality obtention. Lawrence 103 Md. 17, 32 37, 63 96, 102—104. 1914, decision Weeks States, 232 383, 34 341, 58 652, announced contrary rule federal courts. It held not admissible prosecutions. 1928, declined adopt reaffirmed practice. Meisinger 155 195, 141 536; 142 190. 1929, General Assembly passed substantially adopting misdemeanors state courts.3 5 This left effect felony cases. Marshall 182 379, 384, 35 115, 118; Delnegro 198 80, 86, 81 241, 244. 6 1935, under 'Health-Narcotic Drugs' subtitle general 'Crimes Punishments' exempted from Act.4 1947, proviso added exempting, Baltimore unlawfully carrying concealed weapon. Md.Laws chapter 752. extended City 13 including Arundel. 145. year now before us 'for laws contained Sections 288 307, inclusive, 27 (1939 Edition) (now §§ 303—329 edition), sub-title 'Gaming,' any amending supplementing said subtitle.' Id., 704. Also this exemption Wicomico Prince George's Counties. 710.5 7 Appellant legislative 'power' choose either excludes admits He does attack validity application one felonies contends, however, but type counties somewhat comparable counties. sees rational basis classifications made amendment. 8 Whatever may be our view desirability classifications, conclude within liberal license allowed prescribing rules A especially wide discretion relating power, here. 9 establishes additional different offenses deals only admissibility otherwise established law. Rules being procedural nature, are peculiarly discretionary law-making authority, whose primary responsibilities prescribe procedures enforcing laws. Several states have diametrically opposite policies See Appendix, Wolf People Colorado, 338 25, 33—39, 69 1359, 1364—1367, 1782. also, Adams New York, 192 585, 594—596, 24 372, 373—374, 48 575. seeks derive some benefit policies. 10 complains lottery subject exclusion while those pools exempt. also violations county restrictions not. differences fatal scheme. We do sit superlegislature censor. 'To able find fault law demonstrate invalidity. seem unjust oppressive, yet free judicial interference. problems government practical ones justify, if require, rough accommodations,—illogical, be, unscientific.' Metropolis Theater company Chicago, 228 61, 69—70, 33 441, 443, 57 730. Dominion Hotel Arizona, 249 265, 268, 39 273, 274, 597. Cf. Johnson 193 136, 66 504. 11 little substance appellant's claim distinctions based areas necessarily so unreasonable deprive him equal protection guaranteed Federal Constitution. relates equality between persons rather than areas. long ago upheld statute Missouri requiring that, St. Louis four appeals Appeals, whereas elsewhere must directed Missouri. Speaking Court, Bradley said: 12 '(T)here nothing Constitution prevent system judicature fit part territory. If example, should see civil method procedure York surrounding common rest State, there doing so. would not, itself, meaning Amendment, denial person * means class shall denied enjoyed classes place circumstances.' Lewis, 101 22, 31, 25 989.6 There seems doubt validly grant home 23 determine local option.7 equally clear, although less usual, legislature itself subdivisions, having mind needs desires each. Territorial uniformity constitutional requisite. Ocampo 234 91, 98—99, 712, 714—715, 1231. 14 policy thus legislating, through Assembly, matters concern, prescription substantive counties.8 cumbersomeness centrally enacted legislation compared variations matter discretion, supervision, except where clear conflict limitations. 15 presumption reasonableness State.9 While burden establishing Attorney suggested considerations bearing appropriately Assembly. lies largely metropolitan centers Washington, District Columbia. Between adjoining Washington. Annapolis, capital considerable rural Those locations suggest related concentrations population, might reason prescribe, least experimental basis, differ State. Criminal provides long-established field discretion.10 connection, referred specifically increase activity he attributed adopted imposing maximum prison sentences offenses, tending drive operations into suggested, justification distinction specified, former more readily detected easily proved character latter. 16 merit suggestion affirmatively sanctions searches seizures Due Process Amendment. interpreted question arise.11 However, text suggests approval seizures. offers offending seizers immunity anything—be liability, liability disciplinary action. 17 sustain judgment accordingly, affirmed. 18 Affirmed. 19 REED took consideration case. 20 DOUGLAS, dissenting. 21 & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions am still view, expressed occasions (see 40, 41, 1367, 1368, 1782; Schwartz Texas, 344 199, 205, 73 232, 236) Fourth Amendments preclude use obtained lawless who, disregard safeguards, ransack houses places business warrants issued strict surveillance commands. started Peace, section identified 291, 1939. At time trial, amendments, appeared follows 35, 5, 1951: 'No deemed been by, through, consequence Declaration Rights State; nor cases seizure, compel give himself case; provided, prohibit City, Arundel, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Harford, Kent, George's, Queen Anne's, Talbot, Worcester Counties, Provided, further, Counties 303—329, 'Gaming', sub-title.' (Emphasis supplied.) original 194, consisted first sentence precedes 1951. note 2, supra. 59, 368, trend continued. weapon wide. 59. 1953, above-specified Worcester, Howard Cecil chapters 84, 419. Finally, alcoholic beverage laws, exempted. 581. 'The profess secure remedies. Great diversities these respects exist separated imaginary line. On side line right jury, right. prescribes own modes proceeding. proceedings violating clause solid why parts State.' page 31. Mallett North Carolina, 181 589, 597—599, 730, 733 734, 45 1015; Hayes Missouri, 120 68, 72, 350, 352, 30 578. E.g., option relation intoxicating liquor, Lloyd Dollison, 194 445, 703, 1062; Rippey 504, 516, 767; Fort Smith Light Traction Board Improvement, 274 387, 391, 47 595, 597, 71 1112. Without appraising validity, illustrating practice, full examples. 2B—differing requirements sales beverages various cities; 136—one prohibition interference water supply; 146—deals disorderly conduct counties; 545—exempts provisions placing tacks, broken glass, etc., highways; 566—makes junk yards five 578—610b—prescribe variety Sabbath-breaking municipalities; 51, 7—grants jury service women, ten 9—provides varying methods selecting panels 'It Legislature enact exempt particular operation laws.' Neuenschwander Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, 187 67, 593, 600; Stevens 89 669, 674, 43 929, 931. Coal Realty Bureau Mines, 627, 471. '* maxim presumed acted limits, knowledge facts, purpose promoting interests people whole, will lightly act duly enactment transcended power.' Atchison, S.F.R.Co. Matthews, 174 104, 609, 612, 909. 'A statutory discrimination set aside facts reasonably conceived justify it.' Metropolitan Casualty insurance Brownell, 294 580, 584, 55 538, 540, 79 1070. Middleton Texas Power Co., 152, 157—158, 227, 228—229, 527; Lindsley Natural Carbonic Gas 220 78 79, 31 337, 340—341, 369. bound 'to strike evils way.' Semler Oregon Dental Examiners, 608, 610, 570, 571, 1086. hesitation saying sanction incursion privacy run counter guaranty Amendment.' 28, 1361,

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