Court Opinion

ID: 9580691
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 22:07:40.238981+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:36:27.108324
License: Public Domain

BURKE, Justice,
concurring.
I agree that where a prisoner can meet the conditions necessary to gain his release, such as by the giving of bail, there is no justification for a general inventory search. In , this case the search of Zehrung’s wallet and its contents went well beyond that which was required to assure that he did not possess a weapon. Thus I concur in the holding that there was a general inventory search, unwarranted under the circumstances, and that the superior court erred in denying Zehrung’s motion to suppress. At the same time, I wish to emphasize my strong belief that jail personnel are entitled to make an immediate and thorough search for weapons, or. any item that could be used as a weapon, whenever a prisoner is delivered into their custody.
Although the majority does not pass on the issue, I further believe that there can be some limitation on the right to “immediate release” after posting bail. Specifically, I would hold that detention for such time as may be reasonably necessary to allow the authorities to fingerprint and photograph the accused is allowable. Otherwise, there may be no record from which his identity can later be determined with certainty.