Supreme Court of the United States
471 US 386 | 105 S. Ct. 2066 | 85 L. Ed. 2d 406
Published/Precedential
May 13, 1985
Officers watched respondent, Charles Carney, approach a youth in downtown San Diego. The youth accompanied Carney to a Dodge Mini Motor Home parked in a nearby lot. Carney and the youth closed the window shades in the motor home, including one across the front window. Officers had previously received uncorroborated information that the same motor home was used by another person who was exchanging marihuana for sex. Officers kept the motor home under surveillance for the entire one and one-quarter hours that Carney and the youth remained inside. When the youth left the motor home, the officers followed and stopped him. The youth told the agents that he had received marihuana in return for allowing Carney sexual contacts.
At the officers’ request, the youth returned to the motor home and knocked on its door; Carney stepped out. The officers identified themselves as law enforcement officers. Without a warrant or consent, one agent entered the motor home and observed marihuana, plastic bags, and a scale of the kind used in weighing drugs on a table. An officer took Carney into custody and took possession of the motor home. A subsequent search of the motor home at the police station revealed additional marihuana in the cupboards and refrigerator.
The Supreme Court of the United States held that the search was reasonable because there was probable cause and the vehicle was mobile. Therefore, the evidence was ADMISSIBLE.