California v. Carney

471 U.S. 386, 105 S.Ct. 2066, 85 L.Ed.2d 406 (1985)

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California v. Carney

United States Supreme Court
471 U.S. 386, 105 S.Ct. 2066, 85 L.Ed.2d 406 (1985)

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Facts

Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents received a tip that Carney (defendant) was selling marijuana out of his mobile home. The mobile home was relatively large, it was parked in a public lot just a few blocks from the court house, and the windows, including the front windshield, were covered by shades or curtains. The DEA kept Carney under surveillance and watched as he entered the mobile home with another man. When the other man exited the mobile home, the police questioned him and he told them that Carney had given him marijuana in exchange for sex. The police then had the man knock on Carney’s door and when Carney answered the police entered the home and found evidence of drugs. Over Carney’s objections, the trial judge allowed the admission of the evidence found in Carney’s mobile home and the superior court also rejected Carney’s claim when he renewed his motion to suppress. Carney pleaded nolo contendere and the Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Burger, C.J.)

Dissent (Stevens, J.)

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