Illinois v. Rodriguez
United States Supreme Court
497 U.S. 177 (1990)
- Written by Sarah Venti, JD
Facts
A woman called the police because she had been beaten by Rodriguez (defendant). The woman agreed to accompany the police to Rodriguez’s home and unlock the door with her key so the police could arrest him. The woman had lived in the apartment with Rodriguez but had moved out a few weeks prior to this incident. She had kept the key without Rodriguez’s knowledge. Upon entering Rodriguez’s apartment, the police found drugs and drug paraphernalia lying in plain view. Rodriquez was arrested and charged with drug possession and intent to deliver. The trial court granted Rodriguez’s motion and suppressed the drug evidence, holding that the woman who let the police into the apartment had no authority to do so. The trial court held further that the Fourth Amendment was violated even if the police reasonably believed the woman had the authority to let them into the apartment.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Scalia, J.)
Dissent (Marshall, J.)
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