Court Opinion

ID: 9585572
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 23:01:45.277054+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:17:58.595159
License: Public Domain

Banke, Presiding Judge,
dissenting.
Although the Fourth Amendment by its express terms prohibits only “unreasonable” searches and seizures, and although I do not believe the search at issue in this case was unreasonable, I am persuaded that it was conducted without the appellant’s consent and that consequently it did not comport with current federal authority respecting airport searches.
In Florida v. Royer, 460 U. S. 491 (103 SC 1319, 75 LE2d 229) (1983), a case which the majority characterizes both as “unbelievably similar in its factual scenario to the instant case” and as factually distinguishable from it, the United States Supreme Court held that “where the validity of a search rests on consent, the State has the burden of proving that the necessary consent was obtained and that it was freely and voluntarily given, a burden that is not satisfied by showing a mere submission to a claim of lawful authority. (Cits.)”
While the appellant’s action in opening his tote bag for inspection may perhaps be construed as evidencing a willingness on his part to allow it to be searched (particularly since it contained no contraband), by no stretch of the imagination did he do or say anything which can be construed as a manifestation of consent to the search of his person, nor, in fact, was he asked to do so. Indeed, he was not even asked whether he understood the rights contained on the printed card which had been handed him. Under the circumstances, I cannot agree that the appellant’s mere failure to resist or object to the search of his person amounted to an adequate showing of consent under Florida v. Royer. Consequently, I would reverse the denial of his motion to suppress. Compare United States v. Mendenhall, 446 *387U. S. 544 (100 SC 3051, 65 LE2d 1138) (1980) (wherein the defendant explicitly consented to being searched after twice being told she was free to refuse), and United States v. Berry, 670 F2d 583, 589 (5th Cir. 1982) (wherein, after being informed that they could refuse to consent to a search, the defendants acknowledged having understood their rights and, after discussing the matter between themselves, affirmatively consented to being searched).