United States v. Robinson

United States v. Robinson

Argued October 9, 1973
Decided December 11, 1973
Full case name United States v. Willie Robinson, Jr.
Citations

414 U.S. 218 (more)

94 S.Ct. 467, 38 L.Ed.2d 427
Prior history Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Subsequent history 153 U.S.App.D.C. 114, 471 F.2d 1082, reversed
Holding
In the case of a lawful custodial arrest, a full search of the person is not only an exception to the warrant requirement of the Fourth Amendment, but is also a "reasonable" search under that Amendment.
Court membership
Chief Justice
Warren E. Burger
Case opinions
Majority Rehnquist, joined by Burger, Stewart, White, Blackmun, Powell
Concurrence Powell
Dissent Marshall, joined by Douglas, Brennan

United States v. Robinson, 414 U.S. 218 (1973), was a case in which the United States Supreme Court held that "in the case of a lawful custodial arrest a full search of the person is not only an exception to the warrant requirement of the Fourth Amendment, but is also a reasonable search under that Amendment."

Facts

A D.C. Metro officer stopped a 1965 Cadillac based on reliable information that the driver's operating license had been revoked. All three occupants exited the car, and the officer arrested the driver, Robinson. (For purposes of the Court's opinion, it was assumed that Robinson's full-custody arrest was valid.) The officer proceeded to search Robinson, and felt a package whose contents the officer could not immediately identify. Upon removing the package—a crumpled cigarette packet—and opening it, the officer discovered "14 gelatin capsules of white powder" that turned out to be heroin.

Issue

Did the officer's search of the defendant violate the Fourth Amendment?

Holding

According to the Robinson Court "in the case of a lawful custodial arrest a full search of the person is not only an exception to the warrant requirement of the 4th Amendment, but is also a reasonable search under that Amendment."

See also

Further reading

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