Court Opinion

ID: 9423757
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-02 23:09:01.436008+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:22:45.942064
License: Public Domain

Me. Justice Douglas,
concurring in No. 63.
Officer Martin testified that on the night in question he observed appellant Sibron continually from 4 p. m. to 12 midnight and that during that eight-hour period, Sibron conversed with different persons each personally known to Martin as narcotics addicts. When Sibron entered a restaurant, Martin followed him inside where he observed Sibron talking to three other persons also personally known to Martin as narcotics addicts. At that point he approached Sibron and asked him to come outside. When Sibron stepped out, Martin said, “You know what I am after.” Sibron then reached inside his pocket, and at the same time Martin reached into the same pocket and discovered several glassine envelopes which were found to contain heroin. Sibron was subsequently convicted of unlawful possession of heroin.
Consorting with criminals may in a particular factual setting be a basis for believing that a criminal project is underway. Yet talking with addicts without more rises no higher than suspicion. That is all we have here; and if it is sufficient for a “seizure” and a “search,” then there is no such thing as privacy for this vast group of “sick” people.