Court Opinion

ID: 9722976
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 09:58:54.789382+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:24:43.503665
License: Public Domain

*947FLEMING, J.
I concur in the opinion.
Additionally, I conclude that Denton for his own protection was justified in taking the action he took. After two suitcases and a cardboard box had been left by Pranke in Denton’s apartment and in his custody, Denton learned from the police they were looking for Pranke in connection with a burglary investigation. Denton invited the police inside “to check the property.” I think Denton had a right to do this in order to safeguard his own interests. I think he was entitled to forestall the possibility of criminal charges materializing against him for receiving stolen property or aiding and abetting a burglary if it should develop that he was the possessor and custodian of the fruits of a crime.
If we suppose a similar set of circumstances, a similar inquiry of the police, and their explanation that they were conducting an investigation for stolen explosives, stolen weapons, stolen bearer bonds, kidnap ransom money, or plates for counterfeit currency, it seems obvious to me Denton would be justified in inviting the police to check over property in his custody for his own protection. Frazier v. Cupp, 394 U.S. 731, 740 [22 L.Ed.2d 684, 693, 89 S.Ct. 1420], strongly suggests that the lawful custodian of property has authority to consent to its search. See also Abel v. United States, 362 U.S. 217 [4 L.Ed.2d 668, 80 S.Ct. 683]; People v. Smith, 63 Cal.2d 779, 801 [48 Cal.Rptr. 382, 409 P.2d 222].
I think the right of a custodian of property to protect himself covers not only instances of suspected murder and espionage but extends to such less spectacular crimes as receiving stolen property and burglary.