Legal Document

357 U.S. 301 78 Supreme Court Reporter 1190 2 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 1332 William MILLER, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America. Number 126. Argued Jan. 28, 1958. Decided June 23, Mr. De Long Harris, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Leonard baron Sand, respondent. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion Court. 1 Petitioner, Miller, together with Bessie Byrd and her brother, Arthur R. Shepherd, was tried convicted in District Columbia conspiracy to commit violations, federal narcotics laws. 26 Code KF62 (Supp. V) § 4704(a), Annotated KF65 U5 4704(a); 21 174, 174; 18 371, 371. The Appeals Circuit affirmed, one judge dissenting, 100 U.S.App.D.C. 302, 244 Federal Reporter, 2nd 750. We granted certiorari, 353 957, 77 867, 908, determine whether evidence seized at time petitioner's arrest properly admitted against $100 marked currency which by officers who arrested petitioner their apartment. On March 25, 1955, 1:35 a.m., Clifford Reed arrested, under an warrant, on a washington, street suspicion offenses. revealed Wilson, agent, that he purchased heroin 100-capsule quantities from through Shepherd. Agent Wilson knew as had trafficked been offense 1953. said meet Shepherd later morning make purchase. enlisted his aid apprehend About 3 a.m. another Lewis, carrying currency, went taxicab Shepherd's home. introduced Lewis buyer. accepted agreed secure capsules deliver them Reed's proceeded alone followed agent officer Wurms Metropolitan Police Department, other police cars.1 seen leave front apartment house where occupied two-room-and-bath basement waited. entered but looked into hall, could not see went. came out within few minutes reentered taxicab. proceeding toward when following cars intercepted it. searched. He did have bills person package found taxicab's seat put there him stopped taken behind fire extinguisher hall sent 'fellow' promised $10 getting 4 returned immediately building. 3:45 door Officer knocked and, upon inquiry within—'Who's there?'—replied low voice, 'Police.' opened attached chain asked what were doing there. Before either responded, attempted close door. Thereupon, according Wurms, 'we our hands inside pulled ripped off, entered.'2 no or search warrant. They expressly demand admission state purpose presence,3 nor they place until after 5 also turned over cash she housecoat. included $34 currency. After extended remaining $66 found, some hatbox closet, rest covers bed bedroom. 6 Government contends probable cause arresting because it incident lawful arrest. Harris versus States, 331 145, 67 1098, 91 L.Ed. 1399. argument breaks down three contentions: (1) without warrant; (2) justified being arrest; (3) arrest, therefore search, any event unlawful broke home first giving notice authority demanding admission. If these contentions prevails, is money inadmissible evidence. In view we take, need consider only third contention. 7 lawfulness depends power 'break' doors order warrant persons suspected having committed statutory although member such authority.4 This has said, similar circumstance violation law peace officers, be determined reference law. Di Re, 332 581, 589, 68 222, 226, 92 210; Johnson 333 10, 15, 367, 369, 436. By like reasoning validity Columbia. 8 making are mindful policy interfering local rules fashioned courts Fisher 328 463, 476, 66 1318, 1324, 90 1382; Griffin 336 704, 715, 69 814, 819, 93 993. But agrees entry execute must tested criteria identical those embodied 3109, deals warrant.5 That section provides officer, executing may break open if, 'after purpose,' denied admittance. states its brief that, 'where made rather than requirements met before can force apartment.' These substantially judicially developed Accarino 85 394, 403, 179 456, 465. Since rule bears relationship statute confined operation Columbia, believe review warranted here. Cf. Del Vecchio Bowers, 296 280, 56 190, 80 229; Carroll 354 414, 1332, 1343, 1442. 9 From earliest days, common drastically limited effect arrest.6 Such action invades precious interest privacy summed up ancient adage man's castle. As early 13th Yearbook Edward IV (1461—1483), folio 9, recorded holding sheriff civil suit debt trespass, then private party. Remarks attributed7 Pitt, Earl Chatham, occasion debate Parliament searches enforcement excise cider, eloquently expressed principle: 10 'The poorest man cottage bid defiance all forces Crown. It frail; roof shake; wind blow it; storm enter; rain King England cannot enter—all dares cross threshold ruined tenement!' 11 recognized dwelling felony. common-law authorities differ, however, circumstances this case. Hawkins says: lies Suspicion only, indicted, seems better Opinion Day, justify Breaking Doors Order him.' Hawkins, Pleas Crown, chapter 14, (1762); Foster, Crown Law, (1762) 320—321 (2d ed. 1776). Coke appears same view, thought breaking cases writ, now issued. company 4th Inst. 177. hand, Hale says 'A man, arrests felony, doors, if party refuse * *.' Hale, 583 (1736). 12 Whatever felony might lawful, failed requirement pronounced 1603 Semayne's Case, Co.Rep. 91a, E.R.C. 629, Eng.Repr. 194, 195: 'In party, (if open) party's house, him, do execution K(ing)'s process, otherwise enter. it, ought signify coming, request (Emphasis supplied.) 13 stated Case still obtains. reflected statutes large number States,8 American Law Institute's proposed Criminal Procedure, 28.9 applies, here concedes, virtue authorized There decisions justification noncompliance exists exigent circumstances, as, example, good faith someone peril bodily harm, Read Conn. 166, fleeing attempting destroy People Maddox, 46 Cal.2d 301, 294 Pacific 6. 14 unqualified admit exception justifying question called decide makes claim existence excusing compliance. concedes compliance required argues 'compliance evident events preceding officers' forced entry.' 15 require form express announcement burden certainly slight. A more words would satisfied purpose, facts known virtually certain already knows so useless gesture. Martin, 45 755, 290 855; Wilgus, Arrest Without Warrant, 22 Mich.L.Rev. 541, 798, 802 (1924).10 even test relief sufficient failure notify demanded him. 16 single fact relies 'split-second' occurrence evinced 'instantaneous resistance entry,' 'almost instinctive attempt bar (the officers) identified themselves argued 'certainly points (and), once, realized detected him'; '(i)t wholly unrealistic say formally announce 17 But, first, itself prove ambiguous act. merely expected reaction citizen experience hour morning, particularly since does appear uniform, cf. supra, page 465, answer 'Police' spoken 'in voice' heard far tell. Second, opening created doubt minds intent motion suppress, testified 'he wanted know there.' query, unanswered, face inconsistent knowledge. majority import query inferring Miller personally soon inference support record.11 supportable, Miller's recognition them, light actually reason presence. unaware marked; tht presence pursuant plan, initiated disclosures, catch criminal Moreover, sale received money, talked enter bearing knowledge marked. 595, 229: 'We frequent point legal turns up. bad starts change character success.' most act basis conducting investigation. This, falls short virtual certainty except admits must, therefore, conclude receive purpose. 19 duly reliance society achieving enforcing agencies insistence observance traditional fair procedural is, long best calculated contribute end. However much particular case technicality inures benefit guilty person, history proves tolerance shortcut methods impairs enduring effectiveness. prior forcing deeply rooted heritage should given grudging application. Congress, codifying tradition embedded Anglo-American law, declared 3109 reverence individual's right house.12 Every householder, bad, innocent, entitled protection designed invasion house. lawfully Because invade home, unlawful, suppressed. 20 Reversed. HARLAN concurs result. CLARK, whom BURTON concurs, dissenting. 23 & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions agree 'grudging' token reduced absurdity. concluded petitioner, apartment, 'already fully understood sought 310, 750, 758. entry, held valid law.1 superimposes artificial here, 'an announcement' unmistakable come 24 attempts interference terms 'concession' relating forcible warrant.2 seeks clarification general statute, possibly serve purposes prosecutions elsewhere, us oblige, especially result subvert existing reverses conviction wholesale violator previous record traffic carries abominable trade using juvenile dope peddler co-conspirator. 25 these: Officers trailed purchase agent. sister, Mrs. Byrd, saw entrance disappear lighted about 'as jury box.' Other entrance, two leading furnace room. No lived Byrd. withdrew location across street. go room, remain shortly, out. emerged, re-entered drove away. followed, graphically described subsequent events: 27 'After heroin, back later, announced identity. Thereupon violator, part way, squad to, resisted effort bolt broke, Byrd.' 304, 752. 28 summary amply supported previously Bureau Narcotics. connection too officially.3 testified: 'I somebody asked, 'Who's there?' 'Blue'—in repeated times manner. opened. Blue me, don't else way: 'There struggle between finally got ourselves carton thousand unfilled gelatin capsules. Three hundred eighty-one filled room hall. 29 At pretrial hearing moved suppress alleging neither denied. trial different renewed. denying motion, will give you motion. You end testimony.' Petitioner never availed himself opportunity. 30 appeal shifted ground, emphasizing improperly exercised entry. held: 31 'Against background noted summarized, find door, knowing continuing. spelled clear duty arrest.' 309, 757. 32 court 'that doorway unreasonable,' course (was) immaterial made, justified.' Concluding aware both identity upheld refusal evidence, proof guilt 'overwhelming unanswerable.' 33 majority, brushes aside conclusions, explaining slamming 'the citizen.' something entirely foreign my concept respect law-abiding citizenry pays law-enforcement officers. Nor accept conclusion fall 'short officers') His knowledge—in absence him—can 'virtual certainty.' Rather psychoanalyze measure understanding outward acts. indisputably established awareness disturb finding. 34 deal 'exigent circumstances' thus 'excusing compliance' statute. noted, based 'were confronted decision arising necessitous situation.' position excuse evaluating whole eminently correct 'necessitous entering pointed out, fled hidden destroyed fruits crime, visit brother-in-law moments before. Certainly learned forcibly prevent immediate action. Any delay well precluded Destruction prevented establishment guilt. 'split-second necessary.' 35 affirm judgment Accarino, honor.4 group Narcotics agents, Pappas, Bowman Thompson Virginia State Police, trainees program Virginia. Witness: 1, 1337 Road. said—somebody 'Blue' nickname)—in times, entered.' trial, testified, 'He 'What you-all want?' And says, 'Police, want in.' going let in, took ahold open.' apparently mistaken saying mention testimony contrary. refers footnotes. Its accepts premise decided shows statement. 306, 754. agents subsequently 7607, added July 18, 1956, 'reasonable grounds committed' offense. being, been, empowered Wrightson 98 377, 378, 236 672; Id., 95 390, 222 556, 558. 3109: outer inner window anything therein, refused admittance necessary liberate aiding warrant.' raise application D.C.Code, 1951, 4—141. See 4—145. Judge Prettyman's discusses comprehensively development exhaustive article, 673, 798 (1924). Oxford Dictionary Quotations 1953), 379. Hansard, Parliamentary History (1813), vol. column 1307, proceedings Commons cider tax March, 1763, find: 'Mr. Pitt spoke measure, dangerous precedent admitting houses. castle, said.' Ala.Code 1940, Tit. 155; Ariz.Rev.Stat.1955, 13, 1411, A.R.S. 13—1411; Deering's Cal.Penal Code, 844, West's Ann.Cal.Pen.Code, 844; Fla.Stat.1957, 901.17, F.S.A.; Idaho 1947, 19—611; Burns' Ind.Ann.Stat. Replacement Vol., 9—1009; Iowa Ann.1949, 755.9, I.C.A.; Kan. Gen.Stat.1949, 62—1819; Ky.Rev.Stat. 1953, 70.078; Dart's La.Crim.Code, 1943, Article 72, LSA—R.S. 15:72; Mich.Stat.Ann.1954, 28.880; Minn.Stat.1945, 629.34, M.S.A.; Miss.Code 1942, 2471; Mo.Rev.Stat.Ann.1949, 544.200, V.A.M.S.; Mont.Rev.Codes 94—6011; Nebr.Rev.Stat.1943, 29—411; Nev.Rev.Stat.1957, 171.275; Clevenger-Gilbert's N.Y.Crim.Code 178; N.C.Gen.Stat.1953, 15—44; Page's Ohio Rev.Code 2935.15; Okl.Stat.Ann., 22, 194; Ore.Comp.Laws 26—1530; S.C.Code 1952, 53—198; S.D.Code 1939, 34.1606; Tenn.Code 40—807; Utah Ann.1953, 77—13—12; Remington's Wash.Rev.Stat.1932, 2082; Wyo.Comp.Stat.1945, 10—309. Crim.Proc., Institute, Official Draft, (1930): 'Right An provided 21, building reasonably believed be, purpose.' Professor Wilgus sums discussion thus: 'Before broken, necessity doing, unless understood, increased.' 802. (Footnotes omitted.) dissenting herein, footnote mistakenly passage 'enunciated' Appeals. fact, quoted approval. was: 'Upon topic dispute authorities. advised suspect door.' Holtzoff months trial. Our examination brings complete agreement Edgerton, who, Appals, cites supports squad.' U.S.A.pp.D.C. 311, 759. Even sufficiently faces, personally. inference, met, of, reputed violator. Youngdahl presided hear renewed considered matter settled Holtzoff's ruling. Wilson's again variance communicated night Apparently unwilling rely testimony, inconsistency, allude Compliance safeguard prowlers shot fearful householder. concurring McDonald 335 451, 460—461, 191, 195—196, 153. enunciated 456 (opinion Prettyman). Rehearing en banc instant dissent, author participating. discussing rule, Prettyman approval 802: added.) 401, 463. language embodiment 757, finding him,' id., 758, applied affirming conviction. concludes 'judicially developed' 'substantially identical' concerns important note, language, set italics above, peculiar rule. latter respected interpretation today. While standard 3109,' joins contention '(u)nder police) complied teaching (85 401), 463.' note supra. Q. 'How (Miller)?' Atlantic 'Previous knowledge, before.' Furthermore, affidavit supporting swore Pappas four others off door,' further physically assaulted 1946, 1325, 1382, 'Our interfere (District courts) fashion, save exceptional situations egregious error committed.' 1949, 993, 'federal rule' issue necessarily control Columbia: 'This Court, decisions, enactment statutes, often appropriateness jurisdictions subject law.' 712, 818. 'special function' questions 'Only determination District.' 718, 821.

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