Legal Document

506 U.S. 56 113 S.Ct. 538 121 L.Ed.2d 450 SOLDAL et ux.v.COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, al. No. 91-6516. Argued Oct. 5, 1992. Decided Dec. 8, Syllabus * While eviction proceedings were pending, Terrace Properties and Margaret Hale forcibly evicted petitioners, the Soldal family, their mobile home from a Properties' park. At Hale's request, Cook County, Illinois, Sheriff's Department deputies present at eviction. Although they knew that there was no order actions illegal, refused to take Mr. Soldal's complaint for criminal trespass or otherwise interfere with Subsequently, state judge assigned pending ruled had been unauthorized, trailer, badly damaged during eviction, returned lot. Petitioners brought an action in Federal District Court under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, claiming conspired deputy sheriffs unreasonably seize remove violation of Fourth Fourteenth Amendment rights. The court granted defendants' motion summary judgment, Appeals affirmed. Acknowledging what occurred "seizure" literal sense word, reasoned it not seizure as contemplated by because, inter alia, did invade petitioners' privacy. Held: removal trailer implicated Pp. ____. (a) A property occurs when "there is some meaningful interference individual's possessory interests property." United States v. Jacobsen, 466 109, 113, 104 1652, 1656, 80 85. language Amendment—which protects people unreasonable searches seizures "their persons, houses, papers, effects"—cuts against novel holding below, this Court's cases unmistakably hold even where privacy liberty implicated. See, e.g., ibid.; Katz States, 389 347, 350, 88 507, 510, 19 576. This "plain view" decisions also make untenable lower court's construction Amendment. If Amendment's boundaries defined exclusively rights privacy, seizures, rather than being scrupulously subjected inquiry, Arizona Hicks, 480 321, 326-327, 107 1149, 1153-1154, 94 would implicate constitutional provision all. Contrary Appeals' position, though search within its meaning has taken place. supra, U.S., 120-125, S.Ct., 1660-1663. Also contrary view, Graham Connor, 490 386, 109 1865, 443, does require court, finds wrong implicates more one command, look dominant character challenged conduct determine which standard should be evaluated. Rather, each examined turn. Hudson Palmer, 468 517, 3194, 82 393. (b) instant decision foment wave new litigation federal courts. Activities such repossessions attachments, if involve entering home, intruding on individuals' interfering liberty, own terms. And numerous type will survive scrutiny "reasonableness" grounds. Moreover, unlikely police often choose further enterprise knowing law proceed absence objectively reasonable grounds doing so. 942 F.2d 1073 (CA7 1991), reversed remanded. WHITE, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. John L. Stainthorp, petitioners. Kenneth Gillis, respondent. Justice WHITE 1 Edward his family resided located rented lot Willoway park Elk Grove, Illinois. In May, 1987, Properties, owner park, Hale, manager, filed proceeding Soldals Illinois court. Under Forcible Entry Detainer Act, Ill.Rev.Stat., ch. 110, ¶ 9-101 seq. (1991), tenant cannot dispossessed absent judgment suit dismissed June 2, 1987. few months later, August, second nonpayment rent. case set trial September 22, 2 Rather await favor, law, chose evict two weeks prior scheduled hearing. On 4, notified County's she going requested presence sheriff forestall any possible resistance. Later day, employees arrived Soldals' accompanied County Deputy Sheriff O'Neil. proceeded wrench sewer water connections off side disconnect phone, tear trailer's canopy skirting, hook tractor. Meanwhile, O'Neil explained " 'he see [Soldal] didn't [Willoway's] work.' Brief Petitioner 6. 3 By time, scene told them he wished file trespass. They referred him Lieutenant Jones, who office. Jones asked wait outside while remained closeted other over twenty minutes. After talking district attorney making another half hour, accept because 'it between landlord . [and] go ahead continue move out trailer.' Id., 8.1 Throughout period, have unlawful. Eventually, additional sheriffs, workers pulled free moorings towed onto street. Later, hauled neighboring property. 4 9, unauthorized ordered return however, damaged.2 alleging Amendments. claimed home. Judge failed adduce evidence support conspiracy theory and, therefore, existence necessary 1983.3 5 Seventh Circuit, construing facts accepted contention action. However, went constitute purposes deprivation due process Fourteenth. 6 rehearing, majority sitting en banc, reaffirmed panel decision.4 that, made course public enforcement 1073, 1076 (1991). Interpreting Court, Circuit concluded "pure property" cognizable 1078-1079. protected only clauses Fifth Amendments.5 7 We certiorari consider whether rights, 503 ----, 112 1290, 117 514 (1992), now reverse.6 II 8 Amendment, applicable Fourteenth, Ker California, 374 23, 30, 83 1623, 1628, 10 726 (1963), provides pertinent part "right secure effects, shall violated. ." 9 property, we explained, 85 (1984). addition, emphasized "at very core" "stands right man retreat into home." Silverman 365 505, 511, 81 679, 682, 734 (1961). See Oliver 170, 178-179, 1735, 1741-1742, 214 (1984); Wyman James, 400 309, 316, 91 381, 385, 27 408 (1971); Payton New York, 445 573, 601, 100 1371, 1387, 63 639 (1980). As result case, domicile seized, literally carried away, giving term "mobile fail how unceremoniously one's manner alleged here can viewed anything but invoking protection Whether fact violated is, course, different question requires determining reasonable. That inquiry entails weighing various factors before us. 11 recognized seizure, "technical" sense, conclusion followed narrow reading construed safeguard leaving unprotected neither nor stake. Otherwise, said, 12 "a enacted centuries ago [would] every repossession assistance actionable under—of all things —the Amendment[, which] both trivialize amendment gratuitously shift large body routine commercial courts trivializing, shift, prevented recognizing difference interests." F.2d, 1077. 13 Because officers entered house, rummaged through possessions, or, interfered offered "grave deprivation" occurred. Ibid. 14 do agree interpretation effects." surely cuts our well privacy.7 much clear first clause 15 "protects types expectations, involving 'searches,' 'seizures.' 'search' expectation society prepared infringed. 'seizure' 1656. 16 id., 120, 1660; Horton 496 128, 133, 110 2301, 2306, (1990); 328, 347 (1987); Maryland Macon, 472 463, 469, 105 2778, 2782, 86 370 (1985); Texas Brown, 460 730, 747-748, 103 1535, 1546-1547, 75 502 (1983) (STEVENS, concurring judgment); Salvucci, 448 83, 91, n. 6, 2547, 2552, 65 619 Thus, having chemical testing powder found package compromise owner's Jacobsen put end required view adopted advocated respondents. Instead, adhering teachings Place, 462 696, 2637, 77 (1983), invasion owners' "possessory interests" occasioned destruction 124-125, 1662-1663. although subjecting luggage "dog sniff" interest, taking custody Place's suitcase deemed unlawful infringed "the suspect's interest luggage." 708, 2645.8 lacking component, instances nonetheless disregarded, afforded protection. 17 Respondents rely principally precedents 576 (1967), Warden, Penitentiary Hayden, 387 294, 87 1642, 18 782 Cardwell Lewis, 417 583, 2464, 41 325 (1974), demonstrate marginally concerned But message those are sole measure violations. Warden thus observed, citing 362 257, 725, 697 (1960) Silverman, "principal" object Amend ment "this emphasis come about subtle interplay substantive procedural reform." 304, 1649. There suggestion snuffed previously Katz, declaring violative unwarranted overhearing telephone booth conversation, effectively ended lingering notions depended area. decision, stated translated dealing constitutionally areas general individual certain kinds governmental intrusion, "but protections further, nothing all." 510. Cardwell, plurality held bar use paint scrapings tire treads observed defendant's automobile, seized parking lockup. Gathering search, interior car "no personal traditionally protect" searched seized. 591, 2470 (opinion BLACKMUN, J.). No invaded. left argument, pressed dissent, gathered product warrantless hence illegal defendant it. circumstances probable cause instrumentality crime, precedent permitted without warrant. 593, 2470. dissenting Justices considered auto deserving differed degree demanded. appeared find specific confining 393 There, prison inmate sued, guards cell consent destroyed effects. inmate, status, enjoyed 526-528, 3200-3201, 8; 538, 3206 (O'CONNOR, concurring). Whatever else held, limited usefulness context respect coverage 20 unconvinced supports What more, Suppose example lawfully enter either complying warrant requirement satisfying exceptions—e.g., valid showing exigent circumstances. across item plain it, Horton, 133-134, 2305-2306; 739, 1541 REHNQUIST, Yet, far automatically upheld, inquiry. permitting items question, justified meet standard, (1987),9 unaccompanied 136-137, 2307-2309.10 notwithstanding, "[a] article obviously interest." 134, 2306; doctrine "merely reflects application central reasonableness governing property," Coolidge Hampshire, 403 468, 2022, 2039, 29 564 516, 2063 (WHITE, dissenting). 21 understandably reconcile recognition such. so doing, distinguish ground took place noncriminal context. Indeed, acknowledged evident precedents—that applies civil well. O'Connor Ortega, 709, 1492, 714 (1987), Jersey T.L.O., 469 325, 334-335, 733, 738-739, 720 Michigan Tyler, 436 499, 504-506, 98 1942, 1947-1948, 486 (1978); Marshall Barlow's, Inc., 307, 312-313, 1816, 1820-1821, 305 Camara Municipal San Francisco, 523, 528, 1727, 1730, 930 (1967).11 22 Nor suggest applied activities. It example, triggered "by entry incident repossession," 1077.12 sought explain why context, follows: 23 "[S]eizures investigations almost always, cases, culmination searches. seize, ensuing reference 'searches seizures' seeks regulate. Seizure means thing outcome search; may mean something stands apart investigative activity. still nominally apply, but, precisely usual rules apply." 1079 (emphasis original). 24 difficulty passage. seemingly construes protect search. subject 1660-1662; 706-707, 2644-2645; 588-589, 2468-2469.13 More generally, officer happens area could standards satisfied—for crime contraband. Cf. 587, 1380, puzzled last sentence excerpt, announces "usual rules" inapplicable activity "precisely privacy." For clearly notwithstanding effects authorized associate weapons midst yet "involve 2306. short, statement must satisfy item's incriminating "immediately apparent," 2307-2308, odds approach. 25 effort interesting creative, bottom simply reasserts earlier thesis remain justification departing cases. reason might house effectuate wholly irrelevant threshold applies. matters intrusion people's security interference. Therefore, less transgressed undertaken collect evidence, verify compliance housing regulation, effect police, whim, occasion, "anomalous say private fully suspected behavior." Camara, 530, 1732; O'Connor, 715, 1496; 335, 739. 26 if, previous rulings, element tincture carry day Soldals." 1080. Relying 443 (1989), "dominant section 1983 [to] evaluated." Believing claim akin challenge allowed bring guise basis doling fashion. Certain wrongs affect single accordingly, Constitution's commands. Where multiple violations alleged, habit identifying preliminary matter claim's "dominant" character. examine (Fourth Due Process Clause); Ingraham Wright, 430 651, 97 1401, 51 711 (1977) (Eighth Clause). contrary. Its claims excessive force analyzed test. guided provisions targeted same sort result, "explicit textual source protection" "more generalized notion 'substantive process.' 394-395, 1870-1871. Surely, resort "houses, effects" Clause. III 28 fearful, Appeals, applying inevitably territory unknown unforeseen: repossessions, negligent enjoy homes, like, thereby federalizing concern States. several reasons, think risk exaggerated. To begin, impact activities attachments true Tenth Circuit's Specht which, noted, expressed agreement. significantly, "reasonableness ultimate standard" 539, 1736, scrutiny. circumstances, determination reflect "careful balancing 341, 742. Assuming acting pursuant order, Jensen, 832 1516 (CA10 1987), Fuentes Shevin, 407 67, 92 32 556 (1972), unreasonableness these laborious task indeed. Simms Wise Slacum, Cranch 300, 301, L.Ed. 446 (1806). Hence, guarantee filing frivolous suits, ejection properly awaited quite bothered violation. 30 doubt reaffirmance principles today IV 31 alleges respondents, color physically tearing foundation towing Taking allegations true, "garden-variety" landlord-tenant dispute. suffice plainly provision. reversed, remanded consistent opinion. So ordered. syllabus constitutes Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber Co., 200 337. Jones' prompted attorney's advice charges used possession. Ill.Rev.Stat.1991, (1991); People Evans, 163 Ill.App.3d 561, 114 Ill.Dec. 662, 516 N.E.2d 817 (1st Dist.1987). ultimately per December, that: "Every person who, statute, ordinance, custom usage, State subjects, causes subjected, citizen privileges, immunities secured Constitution laws, liable party injured equity, proper redress." reiterated panel's assumed record treated current posture "as themselves disconnected utilities, away." 1075 1991) (en banc). noted light adequate judicial remedies succeed. 1075-1076. Parratt Taylor, 451 527, 101 1908, 68 420 (1981). event, respondents assert error, disposition need address time. establish deprived right, instance, freedom State. Monroe Pape, 167, 184, 473, 482, 492 request affirm erred sufficient injury Soldals, urged, inflicted parties whom county responsible. cross petition, entitled ask us enlarge favor. using foreclose inclined review holding. Adickes S.H. Kress & 398 144, 152-161, 90 1598, 1605-1610, 142 (1970). reach extends such, mindful 176-177, 1740, concerns explicitly includes, person's Place detain minutes "liberty itinerary," 708-710, 2645-2646. When "operational necessities" exist, cause. 327, 1154. way affects analysis, then Ibid; 703, 2642. Of officers' itself entailed amount believe justify seizure. 2307-2308. Murray's Lessee Hoboken Land Improvement How. 272, 372 (1856), cast applicability encounters this. How., 285. since time shed light, guarantees "without regard [houses, effects] applied." 1647, (1967). Lessee's broad "has recovery debt" arguably meant suggested G.M. Leasing Corp. 429 338, 352, 619, 628, 50 530 (1977). reading, reaffirm basic understanding unrelated grounds, 853 805 (1988) banc), expressly agreed. 1076. engaged looking "searches," sense. suggesting explainable always occur receives penultimate quoted passage, states word lose "when activity." added). And, following paragraph, observes "[o]utside retains searches, decline confine setting." 1079-1080. Even activities, criminal, safeguarded pure nonlaw setting, accord, indicated

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