chadwick argued april decided june respondents arrived train boston san diego arrested waiting automobile federal narcotics agents alerted respondents possible drug traffickers footlocker respondents transported train agents probable cause believe contained narcotics loaded trunk automobile respondents together automobile footlocker admittedly agents exclusive control taken federal building boston hour half arrests agents opened footlocker without respondents consent search warrant found large amounts marihuana respondents subsequently indicted possession marihuana intent distribute district granted pretrial motion suppress marihuana obtained footlocker holding warrantless searches per se unreasonable fourth amendment unless fall within established exception warrant requirement footlocker search justified either automobile exception search incident lawful arrest appeals affirmed held respondents entitled protection warrant clause fourth amendment evaluation neutral magistrate privacy interests contents footlocker invaded pp fundamental purpose fourth amendment safeguard individuals unreasonable government invasions legitimate privacy interests simply interests inside four walls home pp placing personal effects inside footlocker respondents manifested expectation contents remain free public examination less one locks doors home intruders one safeguards personal possessions manner due protection fourth amendment warrant clause since exigency calling immediate search unreasonable government conduct search ithout safeguards judicial warrant provides footlocker search justified automobile exception since person expectations privacy personal luggage substantially greater automobile connection footlocker mobility justify dispensing search warrant federal agents seized footlocker railroad station safely transferred federal building exclusive control slightest danger contents removed valid search warrant obtained pp footlocker search justified search incident lawful arrest search remote time place arrest exigency existed search conducted hour federal agents gained exclusive control footlocker long respondents securely custody pp burger delivered opinion brennan stewart white marshall powell stevens joined brennan filed concurring opinion post blackmun filed dissenting opinion rehnquist joined post deputy solicitor general randolph argued cause brief acting solicitor general friedman assistant attorney general thornburgh kenneth geller sidney glazer martin weinberg argued cause respondents brief philip nyman robert steadman jeanne baker joel gora jack novik john reinstein filed brief american civil liberties union et al amici curiae urging affirmance frank carrington glen murphy cecil hicks james costello filed brief americans effective law enforcement et al amici curiae chief justice burger delivered opinion granted certiorari case decide whether search warrant required federal agents may open locked footlocker lawfully seized time arrest owners probable cause believe footlocker contains contraband may amtrak railroad officials san diego observed respondents gregory machado bridget leary load brown footlocker onto train bound boston suspicions aroused noticed trunk unusually heavy size leaking talcum powder substance often used mask odor marihuana hashish machado matched profile used spot drug traffickers railroad officials reported circumstances federal agents san diego turn relayed information together detailed descriptions machado footlocker counterparts boston train arrived boston two days later federal narcotics agents hand though officers obtained arrest search warrant police dog trained detect marihuana agents identified machado leary kept surveillance claimed suitcases footlocker transported baggage cart train departure area machado leary lifted footlocker baggage cart placed floor sat agents released dog near footlocker without alerting respondents dog signaled presence controlled substance inside respondent chadwick joined machado leary engaged attendant move footlocker outside chadwick waiting automobile machado chadwick attendant together lifted footlocker trunk car leary waited front seat point trunk car still open car engine started officers arrested three search disclosed weapons keys footlocker apparently taken machado respondents taken federal building boston agents followed chadwick car footlocker government concedes moment respondents arrests footlocker remained exclusive control law enforcement officers times footlocker luggage placed federal building one agents later testified risk whatever contained footlocker trunk removed defendants associates app agents reason believe footlocker contained explosives inherently dangerous items contained evidence lose value unless footlocker opened facilities readily available footlocker stored securely contended exigency calling immediate search federal building hour half arrests agents opened footlocker luggage obtain respondents consent secure search warrant footlocker locked padlock regular trunk lock unclear whether opened keys taken respondent machado means large amounts marihuana found footlocker respondents indicted possession marihuana intent distribute violation conspiracy violation trial moved suppress marihuana obtained footlocker district government sought justify failure secure search warrant automobile exception chambers maroney search incident arrests holding arrantless searches per se unreasonable subject carefully delineated limited exceptions district rejected justifications supp mass saw relationship footlocker chadwick automobile merely coincidental held footlocker part area within respondents might gain possession weapon destructible evidence chimel california divided appeals first circuit affirmed suppression seized marihuana held footlocker properly taken federal custody respondents lawful arrest also agreed agents probable cause believe footlocker contained controlled substance opened probable cause alone held enough sustain warrantless search premise warrantless searches per se unreasonable unless fall within established exception warrant requirement appeals agreed district footlocker search justified either automobile exception search incident lawful arrest appeals responded argument suggested government first time appeal movable personalty lawfully seized public place subject search without warrant exists probable cause believe contains evidence crime conceding personalty shares characteristics mobility support warrantless automobile searches nevertheless concluded rule permitting search personalty probable cause alone yet received sufficient recognition outside automobile area generally us recognize valid exception fourth amendment warrant requirement granted certiorari affirm government contends fourth amendment warrant clause protects interests traditionally identified home recalling colonial writs assistance often executed searches private dwellings government claims warrant clause adopted primarily exclusively response unjustified intrusions private homes authority general warrants government argues evidence framers fourth amendment intended disturb established practice permitting warrantless searches outside home modify initial clause fourth amendment making warrantless searches supported probable cause per se unreasonable drawing reading history government argues homes offices private communications implicate interests lie core fourth amendment accordingly contexts determination whether search seizure reasonable turn whether warrant obtained situations government contends less significant privacy values stake reasonableness government intrusion depend solely whether probable cause believe evidence criminal conduct present personal effects lawfully seized outside home probable cause government thus regard searches without warrant unreasonable agree warrant clause protects dwellings specifically designated locales noted fourth amendment protects people places katz particularly protects people unreasonable government intrusions legitimate expectations privacy case warrant clause makes significant contribution protection question whether warrantless search circumstances unreasonable doubted fourth amendment commands grew large measure colonists experience writs assistance memories general warrants formerly use england writs issued executive rather judicial authority granted sweeping power customs officials agents king search large smuggled goods though authority search granted writs limited home searches conducted pursuant often carried private residences see generally stanford texas marcus search warrant frank maryland although searches seizures deeply concerned colonists foremost minds framers involving invasions home mistake conclude government contends warrant clause therefore intended guard intrusions home first warrant clause terms distinguish searches conducted private homes searches also strong historical connection warrant clause initial clause fourth amendment draws distinctions among persons houses papers effects safeguarding unreasonable searches seizures see rabinowitz frankfurter dissenting moreover little evidence framers intended warrant clause operate outside home evidence intended exclude protection clause searches occurring outside home absence contemporary outcry warrantless searches public places aside searches incident arrest warrantless searches large issue colonial america thus silence historical record tells us little framers attitude toward application warrant clause search respondents footlocker know framers men focused wrongs day intended fourth amendment safeguard fundamental values far outlast specific abuses gave birth moreover area write clean slate fundamental inquiry considering fourth amendment issues whether search seizure reasonable circumstances cooper california judicial warrant significant role play provides detached scrutiny neutral magistrate reliable safeguard improper searches hurried judgment law enforcement officer engaged often competitive enterprise ferreting crime johnson lawful search begun also far likely exceed proper bounds done pursuant judicial authorization particularly describing place searched persons things seized warrant assures individual whose property searched seized lawful authority executing officer need search limits power search camara municipal fourth amendment protects people places protections judicial warrant offers erroneous governmental intrusions effective whether applied home accordingly held warrantless searches unreasonable therefore unconstitutional variety settings century ago justice field speaking included within reach warrant clause printed matter traveling mails within letters sealed packages kind mail fully guarded examination inspection except outward form weight retained parties forwarding domiciles constitutional guaranty right people secure papers unreasonable searches seizures extends papers thus closed inspection wherever may whilst mail opened examined like warrant issued upon similar oath affirmation particularly describing thing seized required papers subjected search one household ex parte jackson case important fourth amendment privacy interests stake placing personal effects inside footlocker respondents manifested expectation contents remain free public examination less one locks doors home intruders one safeguards personal possessions manner due protection fourth amendment warrant clause exigency unreasonable government conduct search without safeguards judicial warrant provides government contend footlocker brief contact chadwick car makes automobile search argued rationale automobile search cases demonstrates reasonableness permitting warrantless searches luggage government views luggage analogous motor vehicles fourth amendment purposes true like footlocker issue automobiles effects fourth amendment searches seizures automobiles therefore subject constitutional standard reasonableness recognized significant differences motor vehicles property permit warrantless searches automobiles circumstances warrantless searches reasonable contexts carroll preston supra chambers maroney see also south dakota opperman treatment automobiles based part inherent mobility often makes obtaining judicial warrant impracticable nevertheless also sustained warrantless searches vehicles cases possibilities vehicle removed evidence destroyed remote nonexistent cady dombrowski accord south dakota opperman supra see texas white chambers maroney supra cooper california answer lies diminished expectation privacy surrounds automobile one lesser expectation privacy motor vehicle function transportation seldom serves one residence repository personal effects travels public thoroughfares occupants contents plain view cardwell lewis plurality opinion factors diminish privacy aspects automobile apply respondents footlocker luggage contents open public view except condition border entry common carrier travel luggage subject regular inspections official scrutiny continuing basis unlike automobile whose primary function transportation luggage intended repository personal effects sum person expectations privacy personal luggage substantially greater automobile footlocker mobility justify dispensing added protections warrant clause federal agents seized railroad station safely transferred boston federal building exclusive control slightest danger footlocker contents removed valid search warrant obtained initial seizure detention footlocker validity respondents contest sufficient guard risk evidence might lost footlocker safely immobilized unreasonable undertake additional greater intrusion search without warrant finally government urges constitution permits warrantless search property possession person arrested public long probable cause believe property contains contraband evidence crime although recognizing footlocker within respondents immediate control government insists search reasonable footlocker seized contemporaneously respondents arrests searched soon thereafter practicable reasons justifying search custodial arrest quite different custodial arrest made always danger person arrested may seek use weapon evidence may concealed destroyed safeguard others prevent loss evidence held reasonable arresting officer conduct prompt warrantless search arrestee person area within immediate control construing phrase mean area within might gain possession weapon destructible evidence chimel california see also terry ohio searches may conducted without warrant may also made whether probable cause believe person arrested may weapon destroy evidence potential dangers lurking custodial arrests make warrantless searches items within immediate control area reasonable without requiring arresting officer calculate probability weapons destructible evidence may involved robinson terry ohio supra however warrantless searches luggage property seized time arrest justified incident arrest either search remote time place arrest preston exigency exists law enforcement officers reduced luggage personal property immediately associated person arrestee exclusive control longer danger arrestee might gain access property seize weapon destroy evidence search property longer incident arrest search conducted hour federal agents gained exclusive control footlocker long respondents securely custody search therefore viewed incidental arrest justified exigency even though record issuance warrant judicial officer reasonably predictable line must drawn view exigency shown support need immediate search warrant clause places line point property searched comes exclusive dominion police authority respondents therefore entitled protection warrant clause evaluation neutral magistrate privacy interests contents footlocker invaded accordingly judgment affirmed footnotes fourth amendment provides right people secure persons houses papers effects unreasonable searches seizures shall violated warrants shall issue upon probable cause supported oath affirmation particularly describing place searched persons things seized government limited question presented hether search warrant required federal agents may open locked footlocker properly possession probable cause believe contains contraband accordingly case presents issue application exclusionary rule government historical analysis undercut arguments government acknowledges core values fourth amendment protects privacy interests view privacy interests receive maximum protection governmental search seizure provided warrant clause include private oral electronic communication addition home structures office hotel room brief readily apparent government contention warrant clause applies high privacy areas within without home reconciled earlier contention judicial warrants appropriate searches conducted within private dwellings circumstances involving noncriminal inventory searches probable cause search irrelevant recognized search warrants required linked warrant requirement textually concept south dakota opperman salutary functions warrant simply application context constitutional reasonableness inventory searches must determined bases settled law years least since boyd known breaking doors rummaging drawers constitutes essence offence invasion indefeasible right personal security personal liberty private property say fourth amendment translates precisely constitutional privacy right see katz may often case automobiles seized absolutely secure storage facilities may available see south dakota opperman cady dombrowski size inherent mobility vehicle make susceptible theft intrusion vandals respondents principal privacy interest footlocker course container exposed public view contents search interior therefore far greater intrusion fourth amendment values impoundment footlocker though surely substantial infringement respondents use possession seizure diminish respondents legitimate expectation footlocker contents remain private greatly reduced expectation privacy automobile coupled transportation function vehicle made chambers unwilling decide whether immediate search automobile seizure indefinite immobilization constituted greater interference rights owner clearly case locked luggage course may justifications warrantless search luggage taken suspect time arrest example officers reason believe luggage contains immediately dangerous instrumentality explosives foolhardy transport station house without opening luggage disarming weapon see johnson unlike searches person robinson edwards searches possessions within arrestee immediate control justified reduced expectations privacy caused arrest respondents privacy interest contents footlocker eliminated simply arrest justice brennan concurring fully join chief justice thorough opinion write comment upon two points made brother blackmun dissent first agree wholeheartedly brother blackmun unfortunate government case sought vindicate extreme view fourth amendment post unfortunate view argument somehow distract ed meritorious arguments made government arguments addressed convincingly rejected opinion deeply distressing department justice whose mission protect constitutional liberties people even appear seeking subvert extreme dubious legal arguments gratifying today unanimously rejects government position second noted part ii dissent suggests number possible alternative courses action agents followed without violating constitution decision cited support constitutionality courses decisions courts appeals post nn view obvious agents legally searched footlocker seized machado leary driven away car time place arrests contents car searched pursuant automobile exception means clear contents locked containers found inside car subject search exception police found place machado leary standing next open automobile trunk containing footlocker even seated post obvious contents heavy securely locked footlocker within area immediate control purposes doctrine justification possibility arrested person might immediate access weapons might endanger officer safety assist escape items evidence might conceal destroy think footlocker case hardly within respondents immediate control construing phrase mean area within might gain possession weapon destructible evidence chimel california justice blackmun justice rehnquist joins dissenting think somewhat unfortunate government sought reversal case primarily vindicate extreme view fourth amendment restrict protection warrant clause private dwellings high privacy areas reject argument reasons stated parts opinion general agreement overbroad nature goverment principal argument however served distract important task defining proper scope search incident arrest fails accept opportunity case presents apply rationale recent decisions develop clear doctrine concerning proper consequences custodial arrest accordingly dissent judgment one line recent decisions establishes warrant required arresting officer search clothing effects one placed custodial arrest rationale explained robinson police officer determination search person suspect arrested necessarily quick ad hoc judgment fourth amendment require broken instance analysis step search authority search person incident lawful custodial arrest based upon need disarm discover evidence depend may later decide probability particular arrest situation weapons evidence fact found upon person suspect custodial arrest suspect based probable cause reasonable intrusion fourth amendment intrusion lawful search incident arrest requires additional justification fact lawful arrest establishes authority search hold case lawful custodial arrest full search person exception warrant requirement fourth amendment also reasonable search amendment second series decisions concerns consequences custodial arrest person driving automobile car may impounded probable cause contents including locked compartments subsequently examined without warrant texas white cady dombrowski chambers maroney moreover car properly impounded reason police may follow standard procedure inventorying contents without showing probable cause south dakota opperman apply rationale two lines authority hold generally warrant required seize search movable property possession person properly arrested public place person arrested public place likely various kinds property items inside clothing briefcase suitcase packages vehicle instances police well leave property sidewalk street go get warrant items may stolen removed suspect confederates rather requiring police post guard property think surely reasonable police take items along station arrested person present case appeals held respondents contest proper federal agents seize footlocker take office given propriety seizing footlocker reason believe subsequent search fortiori permissible see chambers maroney acknowledge however impounding footlocker without searching less intrusive alternative case police waited conduct search warrant obtained nevertheless mere fact warrant obtained footlocker safely impounded necessarily make warrantless search unreasonable see edwards cardwell lewis plurality opinion robinson recognized custodial arrest serious deprivation various lesser invasions privacy may fairly regarded incidental arrested person course additional privacy interest objects possession time arrest sure allowing impoundment objects pursuant arrest requiring warrant examination contents protect incremental privacy interest cases police assessment probable cause subsequently rejected magistrate countervailing consideration warrant routinely forthcoming vast majority situations property seized conjunction valid arrest person public place therefore doubt requiring authorities go formality obtaining warrant situation much practical effect protecting fourth amendment values believe sort practical evaluation underlies decisions permitting clothing personal effects automobiles searched without warrant incident arrest even though possible simply impound items warrant obtained opinion explain wallet carried arrested person clothing footlocker present case subject reduced expectations privacy caused arrest ante explain items purses briefcases fit dichotomy perhaps holding present case limited future objects relatively immobile virtue size absence means propulsion also possible today decision much impact doctrines often available sustain warrantless searches objects police custody acknowledges ante warrant necessary authorities suspect object impounded dangerous contents moreover police may establish routine procedure inventorying contents container taken custody reasons security property conservation cf south dakota opperman law enforcement officers precluded conducting inventory search take potential trojan horse office finally exigent circumstances may often justify immediate search property seized conjunction arrest order facilitate apprehension confederates termination continuing criminal activity cf warden hayden since one preceding special circumstances likely available instances since suspect expectations privacy properly abated fact arrest better view adopt clearcut rule permitting property seized conjunction valid arrest public place searched without warrant approach simplify constitutional law criminal procedure without seriously derogating values protected fourth amendment prohibition unreasonable searches seizures ii approach taken perverse result allowing fortuitous circumstances control outcome present case agents probably avoided footlocker search held unconstitutional either delaying arrest minutes conducting search spot rather back office probable cause arrest present time respondents machado leary seated footlocker inside boston south station agents dog signaled presence marihuana rather make arrest moment agents commendably sought determine possible involvement others illegal scheme waited short time respondent chadwick arrived footlocker loaded trunk car made arrest agents postponed arrest minutes longer respondents started drive away car seized taken agents office contents including footlocker searched without warrant alternatively agents made search footlocker time place arrests machado leary standing next open automobile trunk containing footlocker thus within area immediate control certainly footlocker properly subject search time arrest occurred minutes earlier machado leary seated many cases course small variations facts determinative legal outcome criminal law necessarily involves line drawing see way alternative courses conduct likely held constitutional fourth amendment solicitous privacy respondents indeed judge thomsen observed dissenting aspect appeals decision today affirmed course conduct followed agents case good police procedure decisions kind made today make criminal law trap unwary policeman detract important activities detecting criminal activity protecting public safety search warrant serves additional functions arrest takes place home office warrant assures occupants officers legal authority conduct search defines area searched objects seized see camara municipal warrant serve none functions arrest takes place public area authorities admittedly empowered seize objects question cf watson warrant required arrest based probable cause public place courts appeals generally held proper police seize briefcase package possession person time arrest subsequently search property without warrant arrested person taken custody see schleis cert pending battle app ex rel muhammad mancusi cert denied basic premise fourth amendment doctrine given force effect exclusionary rule primarily intended regulate police activities thus expressed terms readily applicable police context law enforcement activities necessarily engaged highly sophisticated set rules qualified sorts ifs ands buts requiring drawing subtle nuances hairline distinctions may sort heady stuff upon facile minds lawyers judges eagerly feed may literally impossible application officer field lafave adjudication versus standardized procedures robinson dilemma sup rev footnotes omitted quoting robinson app dissenting opinion rev scope automobile search exception warrant requirement extends contents locked compartments including glove compartments trunks see cases cited supra courts appeals construed doctrine include briefcases suitcases footlockers inside automobiles tramunti issod cert denied soriano en banc convictions summarily aff sub nom aviles cert pending nos evans chimel california authorizes search area within immediate control arrested person well established immediate search packages luggage carried arrested person proper see draper searches sustained courts appeals even occurred arrested person handcuffed thus longer gain access property question eatherton cert denied kaye mehciz cert denied searches chimel rationale also approved suitcase briefcase close touching arrested person french suitcase within arm length arrested person frick cert denied sub nom peterson briefcase lying seat automobile next person arrested railroad station arrival train good place conduct arrest search especially agents know whether one men might respond telephone call machado made street outside station good place open footlocker containing marijuana agents acted wisely arresting machado car postponing arrived jfk opening footlocker confirm fact contained contraband might add postponing arrest car started increased likelihood respondents attempt evade arrest possibly endangering innocent bystanders