Legal Document

417 U.S. 583 94 Supreme Court Reporter 2464. 41 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 325 Harold Judge CARDWELL, Warden, Petitioner,v.Arthur Ben LEWIS. Number 72—1603. Argued March 18, 1974. Decided June 17, Syllabus On July 24, 1967, law enforcement officers interviewed respondent in connection with a murder that had occurred five days before and viewed his automobile, which was thought to have been used the commission of crime. October 10, response previous request, appeared at 10 a.m. for questioning office investigating authorities, having left car nearby public commercial parking lot. Though police secured warrant respondent's arrest 8 a.m., not arrested until late afternoon, after towed impoundment lot, where warrantless examination next day outside revealed tire matched cast impression made crime scene paint samples taken from were different foreign on fender victim's car. Respondent tried convicted murder, conviction affirmed appeal. In subsequent habeas corpus proceeding District concluded seizure violated Fourth Fourteenth Amendments evidence obtained therefrom should excluded trial. The Appeals affirmed, concluding scraping car's exterior search within meaning Amendment; search, incident arrest, unconsented; could be justified ground an instrumentality plain view. held: judgment is reversed. Pp. 585—596. 476 Federal Reporter, 2nd 467, Mr. Justice BLACKMUN, joined by THE CHIEF JUSTICE, WHITE, REHNQUIST, that: 1 1. automobile upon probable cause reasonable invaded no right privacy requirement meant protect. 588—592. 2 (a) primary object Amendment protection privacy. Warden versus Hayden, 387 294, 305—306, 87 1642, 1649—1650, 18 782. Pacific KF135 P2 589. 3 (b) Generally, less stringent requirements are applied vehicles than homes or offices, Carroll States, 267 132, 45 280, 69 L.Ed. 543; Chambers Maroney, 399 42, 90 1975, 26 419, vehicle intrusive implicates lesser expectation 589—591. 4 (c) 'search' this case, concededly basis cause, infringed 591 592. 5 2. Under circumstances case impounding unreasonable. 592—596. 6 seized place, access meaningfully restricted. supra, followed; Coolidge New Hampshire, 403 443, 91 2022, 29 564, distinguished. 593—595. 7 Exigent justifying limited situations unforeseeable arises only time arrest. Cf. Chambers, U.S., 50—51, S.Ct., 1980—1981. 595—596. POWELL, being view inquiry federal court review state prisoner's claim confined solely question whether defendant opportunity courts raise it adjudicated fairly, would reverse since does contend he denied opportunity. See Schneckloth Bustamonte, 412 218, 250, 93 2041, 2059, 36 854 (Powell, J., concurring). 596. 9 Leo Conway, Columbus, Ohio, petitioner. Bruce Atlantic Campbell, respondent. 11 Andrew L. Frey, Washington, D.C., as amicus curiae, special leave Court. 12 BLACKMUN announced opinion REHNQUIST join. 13 This presents issue legality, under Amendments, its area removed 14 Evidence introduced trial first-degree murder. He convicted. Court, application, ruled violative Amendments. 354 F.Supp. (SD Ohio 1972). Sixth Circuit affirmed. 467 (1973). We granted certiorari, 414 1062, 567, 38 (1973), now conclude that, there violation afforded 15 * 1968 Arthur Lewis, Jr., jury Paul Radcliffe. appeal, conviction. State 22 St.2d 125, 258 North Eastern 445 (1970). review. Lewis 400 959, 359, 27 268 16 record evidentiary hearing, adduced following facts: 17 afternoon 19, Radcliffe's body found near banks Olentangy River Delaware County, Ohio. gone over embankment come rest brush. Radcliffe died shotgun wounds. Casts tracks scene, scrapings rear automobile. Within death, investigation began focus Lewis. It learned knew negotiating sale business executed contract sale. purchaser, Jack Smith, employed Radcliffe, accountant, examine Lewis' books. Police went place him observed model color might push embankment. Not several months later, however, September, again questioned. 9, asked appear morning Office Division Criminal Activities Columbus further interrogation. 19 obtained.1 time, addition also believe An similar leaving scene; car; telephone call Mrs. person who said but proved be,2 caller statements if true, benefit Lewis; repair work done grille, hood, front fender, other parts crime; desk calendar death showed notation, 'Call Lewis.'3 20 complied request appear. drove Office, placed lot half block away, arrived shortly Although possession entire period present, served approximately p.m. Two hours earlier, permitted lawyer, two attorneys present behalf formal Upon keys check released police. A tow truck dispatched remove 21 impounded examined technician Bureau Investigation. tread match crime.4 testified opinion, vehicle, is, difference color, texture, order laying paint. court, accordingly, issued writ requiring 'initate action new of' or, alternative, release him. F.Supp., 44. Appeals, affirming, held fact consent search; arrest; II 23 factually prior cases decided we concerned product traditional considerations owner's interest. consisted observation operative wheel. issue, therefore, automobile's invades interposition has previously addressed. 24 common-law notion seize dependent assertion superior government interest property, see, e.g., Entick Carrington, How.St.Tr. 1029, 1066 (1765), proposition valid 'only when such may complainant property seized, it,' Gouled 255 298, 309, 261, 265, 65 647 (1921), explicitly rejected controlling 302 306, 1647—1650, 782 (1967). Rather rights, determined Id., 1649—1650. And earlier: 'The decisions underscored essential purpose shield citizen unwarranted intrusions into privacy.' Jones 357 493, 498, 78 1253, 1256, 1514 (1958). Schmerber California, 384 757, 769—770, 86 1826, 1835, 908 (1966); Katz 389 347, 350, 88 507, 510, 576 (1967); Dionisio, 410 1, 14—15, 764, 771—772, 35 67 25 At least 543 (1925), recognized distinction between automobiles movable vehicles, one hand, home office, other. vehicles. 49, 1980, 419 (1970), chronicled development searches seizures.5 underlying factor Carroll-Chambers line exigent exist '(T)he furnish particular auto articles most often unforeseeable; moreover, fleeting readily movable.' 1981. strikingly true owner alerted intentions and, consequence, motivation official grasp heightened. There still another distinguishing factor. far rights protected one's building.' Almeida-Sanchez 413 266, 279, 2535, 2542, 37 596 (1973) One motor because function transportation seldom serves residence repository personal effects. little capacity escaping scrutiny. travels thoroughfares occupants contents People Case, 200 Mich. 379, 388— 389, 190 Northwestern N69 289, 292 (1922). 'What knowingly exposes public, even own subject protection.' 351, 511; 14, 771. say part interior protection; exercise desire mobile not, course, waive free unreasonable intrusion. But insofar extends touchstone our inquiry. nothing effects, traditionally deemed protect, searched evidence.6 With wheel taking fail comprehend what infringed.7 Stated simply, invasion privacy, 'if can exist, abstract theoretical.' Air Pollution Variance Board Western Alfalfa Corp., 416 861, 865, 2114, 2116, 40 - (1974). these, exists, Amendments.8 28 Here, established conceded seen similarity corroborated comparison immediately victim. nexus death. All provided reason arrested. Cooper 386 58, 61, 788, 790, 730 III Concluding, have, reasonable, yet determine rendered do think examination, they spot, constitutional barrier use thereby. itself 30 asserts indistinguishable 564 (1971). agree. differs both scope search9 seizure. Since parked defendant's driveway, required entry private property. fact, plurality distinguished 463 n. 20, 2036. Cady Dombrowski, 433, 446 447, 2523, 2530—2531, 706 31 considering lack invalidates otherwise legal car, highly pertinent. four men armed robbery. vehicle. highway station where, some producing incriminating evidence, conducted. stated: 32 'For purposes, see hand seizing holding presenting magistrate carrying out immediate without warrant. Given either course Amendment. 33 '. . probable-cause house so did mobility unless permits denial anyone secured. event choose terms practical consequences immobilization obtained.' 52, 34 stopped highway, whereas little, any, significance.10 same arguments exigency, posting guard obtain. interrogation session ended awareness constituted incentive potential removal substantially increased. testimony hearing wife family got attorney relinquished avoid physical confrontation. 33. all custody means relating location (if impounded) friend confederate. stated spot impractical dark carefully executed. 52 Here too, facilitated type close necessary.11 contends here, unlike existed circumstances. Assuming existed, know principle suggests reasonableness foreclosed first practicable moment. regard id., exigency arise any earlier negate possibility current situation's necessitating prompt action.12 ordered. Reversed. 39 concurring result. & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions reasons set forth my As therein, hold 'federal collateral claims—claims rarely bear innocence—should petitioner (for corpus) fair courts.' Ibid. contention full litigate courts. STEWART, whom DOUGLAS, BRENNAN, MARSHALL join, dissenting. 42 fundamental rule 'searches conducted judicial process, approval judge magistrate, per se Amendment—subject few specifically well-delineated exceptions.' 357, 514, 576; 454—455, 2031—2032, 564. Camara Municipal 523, 528—529, 1727, 1730—1731, 930. authorizing none 'specifically exceptions' here am convinced must affirmed.1 43 casting about way impact decisions, suggests, ante, 599—589, really took scrape make observations tires. Whatever merit argument possess abstract, irrelevant disclosed record. simple looking tires, itself. protect against 'unreasonable seizures,' assuredly here. 44 seems suggest basic overlooked beginning 543, socalled 'automobile exception' '(t)he word 'automobile' talisman whose presence fades away disappears.' Collidge, 461—462, 2035. Rather, doctrine simply recognizes obvious—that moving open road situation 'where secure warrant, quickly moved locality jurisdiction sought.' Carroll, 153, 285. 269, 2537, Where likelihood moved, inapplicable. See, Coolidge, supra; Preston 376 364, 84 881, 777. facts clear beyond peradventure available uphold Well respondent—and car—were securely custody. thus absolutely liklihood meddled during necessary obtain realistic else position either. loss, understand opinion's conclusion, ante 595, 'potential removal' preceding support diametrically opposite conclusion. 46 Finally, 'exigent circumstances' hav excused failure procure nowhere states these mystical exigencies been, counsel inventive any.2 authorities care questioning, scarcely discovered point prevent obtaining And, effectively immobilized interrogation, fear destroyed hardly particularly remembered prompted while respondent, though investigation, control car.3 quite existed.4 47 Until today '(n)either nor require every conceivable circumstance extra affords.' 50, 419. follow settled affirm Appeals. committed. adjacent Franklin County. county State. Rev.Code Ann. § 2941.36 (1953). contrast, 'within jurisdiction.' 2933.21 (Supp.1972). Thus, County 9:30 man identified himself Smith books 'A—1 condition.' victim, identify Gunshots heard 8:30 women lived site became someone impersonated making call. calendar's page missing. Investigation writing indentation, indicated written 19. Apparently, trunk opened observed. 26, 33; 468. No introduced. discussed post-Carroll cases: Husty 282 694, 51 240, 75 629 (1931); Scher 305 251, 59 174, 83 151 (1938); Brinegar 338 160, 1302, 1879 (1949); 777 (1964); Dyke Taylor Implement Mfg. Co., 391 216, 1472, 538 (1968). Cases added list include Collidge (1971); (1973); also, Harris 390 234, 992, 1067 (1968); Note, Warrantless Searches Seizures Automobiles, Harv.L.Rev. 835 Petitioner transfer constructive then feel correct rejecting argument. Irrespective plain-view analyses, concept justify item actual possession. noted, Activities; later eliminates search-incident-to-an-arrest contention. allowing contemporaneous justified, example, need weapons things assault officer effect escape, well destruction easily happen weapon accused's control. justifications absent remote Once accused custody, arrest.' 367, 883, (1964). 47, 1979, Again, confronted propriety interior. 'Neither 1980. thorough extensive including which, vacuum sweepings, obtained. kind raises additional Before argued consented requesting impound safekeeping. 'Viewing light favorable State, (Lewis) clearly unequivocally established, most, their consented, expressly impliedly, purposes search. .' 38. Inasmuch reach consent. To section painted recently repaired sampled. conceivably necessitate sample conclusive laboratory analysis. Similarly, equipment. address determinative POWELL'S raised briefed parties. dissent directed toward search-and-seizure analysis BLACKMUN's opinion. Like plurality, consider concurrence, enither Even Solicitor General, curiae urging reversal Appeals' candidly admitted brief 'no satisfactory appears warrant—there real concealed sought seek warrant.' Brief Amici Curiae 4—5. intentions, suddenly providing 'official grasp.' Ante, 590, 595. putting side how acted destroy fully aware suspicion questioned occasions wished Nonetheless, voluntarily keep appointment investigators. correctly rejects, 591—592, 7, petitioner's 'Once

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