Court Opinion

ID: 9481443
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 08:19:05.541921+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:48:19.166889
License: Public Domain

HATCHETT, Circuit Judge,
concurring specially:
I concur specially in the majority’s opinion. Although I agree with the disposition in the case, I do not join in the language which states, “[t]he ability of the vehicle to become mobile is sufficient to satisfy the exigency requirement.” This statement is contrary to existing Supreme Court and Eleventh Circuit precedent.
Inherent mobility served as the original basis for an automobile exception to the warrant requirement. Carroll v. United States, 267 U.S. 132, 45 S.Ct. 280, 69 L.Ed. 543 (1925). The Supreme Court continues to recognize mobility as the basis for this exception. See California v. Carney, 471 U.S. 386, 105 S.Ct. 2066, 85 L.Ed.2d 406 (1985); United States v. Ross, 456 U.S. 798, 102 S.Ct. 2157, 72 L.Ed.2d 572 (1982); South Dakota v. Opperman, 428 U.S. 364, 96 S.Ct. 3092, 49 L.Ed.2d 1000 (1976); Cardwell v. Lewis, 417 U.S. 583, 94 S.Ct. 2464, 41 L.Ed.2d 325 (1974); Cady v. Dom-browski, 413 U.S. 433, 93 S.Ct. 2523, 37 L.Ed.2d 706 (1973); Chambers v. Maroney, 399 U.S. 42, 90 S.Ct. 1975, 26 L.Ed.2d 419 (1970); Cooper v. California, 386 U.S. 58, 87 S.Ct. 788, 17 L.Ed.2d 730 (1967). Mobility does not equal exigency, but is the rationale for the vehicle exception. In other words, law enforcement officers may not search a vehicle simply because it is mobile.
Also, I agree that probable cause and exigent circumstances existed to support the warrantless search of Frawley’s hotel room. But, I doubt whether exigent circumstances exist for the search of a dwelling because the suspect feels “cornered.” We should continue the case-by-case approach in resolution of search issues, rather than seek to set forth broad rules. Likewise, I doubt whether exigent circumstances analysis should focus so heavily on the defendant’s state of mind. See United States v. Santana, 427 U.S. 38, 96 S.Ct. 2406, 49 L.Ed.2d 300 (1976); Chambers v. Maroney, 399 U.S. 42, 90 S.Ct. 1975, 26 L.Ed.2d 419 (1970); Vale v. Louisiana, 399 U.S. 30, 90 S.Ct. 1969, 26 L.Ed.2d 409 (1970); Warden v. Hayden, 387 U.S. 294, 87 S.Ct. 1642, 18 L.Ed.2d 782 (1967); United States v. Satterfield, 743 F.2d 827 (11th Cir.1984); United States v. Torres, 705 F.2d 1287 (11th Cir.1983), vacated on other grounds, 720 F.2d 1506 (11th Cir.1983); United States v. Bulman, 667 F.2d 1374 (11th Cir.1982).