Court Opinion

ID: 9723983
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 10:40:05.959013+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:24:53.878090
License: Public Domain

ANDREEN, J.
I respectfully dissent.
When Belton1 is read in the context of the instant case, one is compelled to the dreary conclusion that the high court either paid no attention to the facts of the latter or has used this remand as an opaque precursor of fundamental change.2
In an attempt to understand the remand, it may be desirable to review the reasoning behind the special rules involving automobile searches. One of the two reasons for the distinction between search of automobiles and other private property is that the configuration, use and regulation of automobiles dilutes the reasonable expectation of privacy that normally exists in reference to other species of property. (See Arkansas v. Sanders (1979) 442 U.S. 753, 760-761 [61 L.Ed.2d 235, 242-243, 99 S.Ct. 2586, 2591].)
What was the expectation of privacy in the two packages in the instant case? The material was sent through international mails; the markings on the packages announced that fact. It went through customs, and thus was subject to search. I cannot follow the argument of the majority that appellant had a greater expectation of privacy in the packages than the addressee.3 He was involved in a shipment of two packages from Germany to the ultimate destination of the Volkswagen. As such, he benefited from that aspect of the transportation which moved the packages through JFK Airport. A person engaged in such an enterprise accepts the burdens as well as the benefits of the transaction. (See, generally, Almeida-Sanchez v. United States (1973) 413 U.S. 266, 271-272 [37 L.Ed.2d 596, 601-602, 93 S.Ct. 2535], which used similar language in describing businesses subject to administrative inspection.)
*329There can be no doubt that the packages in the back seat of the Volkswagen were the same as went through customs search. The majority argues that it was possible that the contents of the packages were not hashish because they had been inside the Fortner home for “over one-half hour without any police contact.” But the search warrant was for packages addressed to Michael and Selma Fortner with a certain return address. The return on the search warrant itemizes two packages addressed to Selma Fortner, without mention of the return address; However, during testimony at the preliminary hearing, Lieutenant Moore testified that he had seen the two packages earlier. This could only refer to the period of time before they were given to the mail carrier for delivery to the house. There was no possibility of substitution of packages or contents.
These packages advertised the fact that they had been sent through international mails. I would argue that there was no legitimate expectation of privacy in them. This, coupled with the concept in Belton that once a custodial arrest is made there is a justifiable infringement in any privacy interest that the arrestee may have, makes a claim of a privacy interest ludicrous. The expectation of privacy is at the heart of the application of the Fourth Amendment. (Smith v. Maryland (1979) 442 U.S. 735 [61 L.Ed.2d 220, 99 S.Ct. 2577].)
As an alternative reason for affirming the trial court, it appears to me that there was really no search at the police station. The search had taken place at JFK Airport. At all times afterward the hashish was in plain view. What occurred at the police station was simply an inventory of known property.
Yet another reason justifying affirmance is the concept of constructive possession discussed in my concurring opinion filed the first time we considered this case. (People v. Riegler (1980) 111 Cal.App.3d 580, 589-590 [168 Cal.Rptr. 816].)
I would affirm the judgment of the trial court.
A petition for a rehearing was denied January 21, 1982, and respondent’s petition for a hearing by the Supreme Court was denied March 17, 1982. Richardson, J., and Kaus, J., were of the opinion that the petition should be granted.

 New York v. Belton (1981) 453 U.S. 454 [69 L.Ed.2d 768, 101 S.Ct. 2860],

 Change may well be indicated for this area. But clarification, not obfuscation, is needed for the lower courts.

 Contrary to the majority’s assertion, the fact that the police secured a search warrant for the Merced residence does not evince a law enforcement opinion that a privacy interest sprang into existence upon delivery to the house. It simply manifests an understanding by competent officers that in order to get into the house they would need a search warrant.