Court Opinion

ID: 9695061
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 18:05:14.784138+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:20:07.918940
License: Public Domain

VANDE WALLE, Chief Justice,
concurring specially.
So much for the “bright-line” test for determining the scope of a search of an automobile pursuant to a lawful custodial arrest as established by New York v. Belton, 453 U.S. 454, 101 S.Ct. 2860, 69 L.Ed.2d 768 (1981). The Belton decision was prompted by the need to establish straight forward and workable rules to apply to the scope of a search of an automobile after the arrest of the occupant. State v. Hensel, 417 N.W.2d 849 (N.D.1988). In Hensel, we cited the Belton decision as permitting a search of containers in the passenger compartment and noted that, under Belton, containers include any object capable of holding another object, including clothing.
Although the majority distinguishes Bel-ton and Hensel on their facts, the distinction serves to blur the avowed purpose of the Belton decision to establish a bright-line test for determining the scope of the search of an automobile.
The majority relies on Ybarra v. Illinois, 444 U.S. 85, 100 S.Ct. 338, 62 L.Ed.2d 238 (1979), for its holding. I would distinguish Ybarra on its facts, i.e., it was not an automobile search and Ybarra was wearing the pants which were searched.1 If we are to acknowledge the purpose behind the rationale of the bright-line test of Belton and the rationale of Ybarra, it would be that the officer is entitled to search any clothing in the automobile that is not actually being worn by the passenger.
Because the jacket, although not actually worn by Gilberts, was “draped around his neck,” I believe this is a .close case. Because of these circumstances, but recognizing, as I do, that it does blur the “bright-line” test of Belton, I reluctantly concur in the result reached by the majority.
RALPH J. ERICKSTAD, Surrogate Judge, concurs.

. I would also distinguish State v. Grant, 361 N.W.2d 243 (N.D.1985), cited by the majority. It, like Ybarra, did not involve a search of a container in an automobile and is not subject to the Belton bright-line test.