brinegar argued decided june rehearing denied see brinegar irvine ungerman tulsa petitioner stanley silverberg washington respondent justice rutledge delivered opinion brinegar convicted importing intoxicating liquor oklahoma missouri violation federal statute forbids importation contrary laws state conviction based par use evidence liquor seized automobile course alleged unlawful importation prior trial brinegar moved suppress evidence secured unlawful search seizure motion denied renewal objection trial appeals affirmed conviction certiorari sought solely ground search seizure contravened fourth amendment therefore use liquor evidence vitiated conviction granted writ determine question facts substantially undisputed six evening march malsed investigator alcohol tax unit creehan special investigator parked car beside highway near quapaw bridge northeastern oklahoma point five miles west line brinegar drove past headed west ford coupe malsed arrested five months earlier illegally transporting liquor seen loading liquor car truck joplin missouri least two occasions preceding six months knew reputation hauling liquor brinegar passed malsed recognized ford told creehan driving officers car brinegar driver passing car agents later testified car especially rear end appeared loaded something brinegar increased speed passed officers gave chase pursuing mile top speed gained car skidded curve sounded siren overtook crowded car side road pulling across front highway one leading joplin missouri toward vinita oklahoma brinegar home agents got car walked back toward petitioner malsed said brinegar much liquor got car much liquor got car time petitioner replied much much questioning admitted twelve cases car malsed testified one case front seat visible outside car petitioner testified covered lap robe twelve cases found behind front seat agents placed brinegar arrest seized liquor district judge hearing motion suppress facts stated appeared evidence opinion mere fact agents knew defendant engaged hauling whiskey even coupled statement car appeared weighted probable cause search car therefore thought probable cause agents began chase held however voluntary admission made petitioner car stopped constituted probable cause search regardless legality arrest detention therefore evidence admissible trial said overruled petitioner renewal objection appeals one judge dissenting took essentially view held district dissenting judge thought search unlawful therefore statements made course justify search crucial question whether probable cause brinegar arrest light prior adjudications problem particularly carroll face closely approximates situation presented carroll decision held fourth amendment valid search vehicle moving public highway may without warrant probable cause search exists went rule facts presented amounted probable cause search automobile involved carroll case three federal prohibition agents state officer stopped searched defendants car highway leading detroit grand rapids michigan seized quantity liquor discovered search three months search two defendants another man called two agents apartment grand rapids unaware dealing federal agents agreed sell one agents three cases liquor agents noticed oldsmobile roadster three men came apartment license number presumably official capacity proposed purchaser suspected defendants liquor never delivered week later two agents patrolling road grand rapids detroit lookout violations national prohibition act passed defendants proceeding direction grand rapids toward detroit oldsmobile roadster agents followed defendants distance lost trace still later occasion search officers patrolling highway met passed defendants roadster going direction detroit toward grand rapids recognizing defendants agents turned around pursued stopped sixteen miles outside grand rapids searched car seized liquor carried ruled information held agent together judicially noticed fact detroit active centers introducing illegally country spirituous liquors distribution interior page page constituted probable cause search obviously basic facts held constitute probable cause carroll case similar basic facts case search automobile moving public highway made without warrant federal officers charged enforcing federal statutes outlawing transportation intoxicating liquors except conditions complied instance officers patrolling highway discharge duty stopping car starting pursue recognized driver car recent personal contact observation lately engaged illicit liquor dealings finally driver proceeding identified car direction known source liquor supply toward probable illegal market circumstances indicating probable purpose carry illegal adventure ultimate facts necessarily concrete subordinate facts grounded two cases differed somewhat detail important variations details proof follows carroll agent knowledge primary ultimate fact accused engaged liquor running derived defendants offer sell liquor agents three months prior search knowledge derived largely malsed personal observation reinforced hearsay officers bargained liquor carroll saw number defendants car whereas fact shown record carroll took judicial notice detroit international boundary active center illegal importation spirituous liquors distribution interior case facts joplin missouri ready source supply liquor oklahoma place likely illegal market known agent malsed personal observation experience well facts common knowledge treating first two latter less important matters view positive undisputed evidence concerning malsed identification brinegar ford think significance whatever attaches purposes distinguishing cases fact carroll case officers saw recalled license number offending car record discloses like recollection likewise impossible distinguish carroll case reference proof relating source supply place probable destination illegal market consequently probability known liquor operators usi connecting highway purposes unlawful business course legal well factual differences two situations statute review carroll whole nation legally dry manufacture importation transportation sale intoxicating liquors prohibited throughout country statute question importation liquors contrary law state brought seized forbidden carroll case judicially noticed detroit located international boundary canada become active center illegally bringing liquor country distribution interior pertinent connection circumstances showing probability agents acted use highway connecting detroit grand rapids known operators liquor purpose carrying unlawful traffic case record shows brinegar used joplin missouri malsed personal knowledge derived direct observation merely hearsay seems suggested source supply occasions within preceding six months also discloses brinegar home vinita oklahoma brinegar apprehended traveling direction leading joplin vinita point four five miles west line joplin like detroit carroll case ready source supply unlike detroit illegal source far appears brinegar purchases entirely legal may assume present purposes transportation liquor missouri reached crossed state line oklahoma difference however insubstantial important thing whether joplin illegal source supply rather joplin ready convenient probable one persons disposed violate oklahoma federal statutes fact demonstrated fully geographic facts malsed direct undisputed testimony personal observation brinegar use liquor dispensing establishments joplin procuring whiskey direct evidence lacking carroll detroit reason resorted judicial notice commonly known facts supply deficiency malsed direct testimony based personal observation dispensed necessity case situation relating probable place market bearing probability unlawful importation somewhat different broadly facts may well taken state oklahoma whole populous northeastern region facts record know agents knew oklahoma state time search law forbade importation intoxicating liquors except permit generally pretense brinegar secured attempted secure fact taken connection known status missouri location joplin close oklahoma line affords natural situation persons inclined violate oklahoma federal statutes ply trade proof therefore concerning source supply place probable destination illegal market hence probability brinegar using highway forbidden transportation certainly less strong showing respects carroll case finally important potential distinction namely concerning primary ultimate fact petitioner engaging liquor running malsed personal observation brinegar recent activities established engaged quite effectively agent prior bargaining defendants carroll case saw brinegar loading liquor larger quantities normal personal consumption car truck joplin occasions six months prior search saw car brinegar using case use least joplin within period followed several months prior search arrested brinegar unlawful transportation liquor arrest resulted indictment pending time trial moreover malsed instantly recognized brinegar ford coupe brinegar driver passed parked police car time brinegar moving direction joplin toward vinita short distance inside oklahoma state line facts undisputed wholly apart malsed knowledge brinegar bore general reputation engaged liquor running constitute positive convincing evidence brinegar engaged activity less convincing evidence carroll defendants offered sell liquor officers evidence undisputed admissible issue probable cause clearly establishes agent good ground believing brinegar engaged regularly throughout period illicit liquor running dealing notwithstanding variations detail therefore think proof case furnishes support quite strong made carroll case indeed stronger respects sustain ultimate facts held aggregate constitute probable cause search identical substantial material respects one made nothing variations detail affords substantial basis undermining ultimate facts held sufficient carroll distinguishing cases ultimate facts found carroll constitute probable cause taken gether present case fully substantiated proof accordingly carroll decision must taken control situation unless overruled true although trial appeals including dissenting judge opinion stated latter facts within knowledge investigators reasonable trustworthy information prior time incriminating statements made brinegar sufficient lead reasonable discreet prudent man believe intoxicating liquor transported coupe constitute probable cause search page think carroll case indistinguishable one material facts decision continue force necessarily follows quoted erroneous absence significant difference facts fourth amendment incidence turns whether different trial judges draw general conclusions facts sufficient insufficient constitute probable cause ii remains consider one asserted difference case carroll case admissibility inadmissibility trial evidence agents acted making search particularly evidence concerning knowledge defendants engaging illicit liquor running argued first case distinguished carroll malsed knowledge primary ultimate fact rested wholly largely surmise hearsay argument disproved facts record set forth hearsay much indeed emphasized facts derived malsed personal observations sufficient without hearsay concerning general reputation sustain conclusion concerning illegal character brinegar operations distinction based upon inadmissibility evidence asserted said carroll defendants offer sell liquor agents admissible admitted trial evidence malsed arrested brinegar illegal transportation liquor several months search though admitted hearing motion suppress excluded trial cf michelson inference seems evidence concerning prior arrest received hearing motion event conclusion drawn factors relating inadmissibility evidence purposes proving guilt trial deprive evidence whole sufficiency show probable cause search therefore distinguish case carroll case apart failure take account facts disclosed malsed direct personal observation even testimony concerning prior arrest excluded distinction places wholly unwarranted emphasis upon criterion admissibility evidence prove accused guilt facts relied upon show probable cause emphasis think goes much far confusing disregarding difference required prove guilt criminal case required show probable cause arrest search approaches requiring practical effect require proof sufficient establish guilt order substantiate existence probable cause large difference two things proved well tribunals determine therefore like difference quanta modes proof required establish variety reasons elating probative value trustworthiness also possible prejudicial effect upon trial jury absence opportunity generally accepted rules evidence throw many exclusionary protections one charged standing trial crime much evidence real substantial probative value goes considerations irrelevant probative weight relevant possible misunderstanding misuse jury thus case trial properly excluded record trial cf michelson malsed testimony th arrested brinegar several months earlier illegal transportation liquor resulting indictment pending another time trial case certainly done basis testimony concerning arrest perhaps even indictment surmise hearsay without probative value yet admitted testimony hearing motion suppress evidence seized search issue guilt probable cause determined without jury rulings one admitting excluding identical testimony neither inconsistent improper illustrate difference standards latitude allowed passing upon distinct issues probable cause guilt guilt criminal case must proved beyond reasonable doubt evidence confined long experience tradition extent embodied constitution crystallized rules evidence consistent standard rules historically grounded rights system developed safeguard men dubious unjust convictions resulting forfeitures life liberty property however standards made applicable determining probable cause arrest search seizure especially cases involving moving vehicles used commission crime indeed situations officer charged protecting public interest enforcing law take effective action toward end standards seldom applied dealing probable cause however name implies deal probabilities technical factual practical considerations everyday life reasonable prudent men legal technicians act standard proof accordingly correlative must proved substance definitions probable cause reasonable ground belief guilt mccarthy de armit quoted approval carroll opinion page page less evidence justify condemnation conviction marshall said century ago locke cranch since marshall time come mean bare suspicion probable cause exists facts circumstances within officers knowledge reasonably trustworthy information sufficient warrant man reasonable caution belief offense committed carroll standards seek safeguard citizens rash unreasonable interferences privacy unfounded charges crime also seek give fair leeway enforcing law community protection many situations confront officers course executing duties less ambiguous room must allowed mistakes part mistakes must reasonable men acting facts leading sensibly conclusions probability rule probable cause practical nontechnical conception affording best compromise found accommodating often opposing interests requiring unduly hamper law enforcement allow less leave citizens mercy officers whim caprice troublesome line posed facts carroll case case one mere suspicion probable cause line necessarily must drawn act judgment formed light particular situation account taken circumstances problem searching home place privacy presented either carroll cases involve freedom use public highways swiftly moving vehicles dealing contraband molested investigation search movements case citizen given good cause believing engaged sort activity entitled proceed way without interference one recently repeatedly given substantial ground believing engaging rbidden transportation area usual operations immunity officer intercepts region knows fact time makes interception circumstances made indicate suspect going legitimate affairs mean seems assumed every traveler along public highways may stopped searched officers whim caprice mere suspicion question presented carroll case lay border suspicion probable cause carefully considered problem resolved concluding facts within officers knowledge intercepted carroll defendants amounted mere suspicion constituted probable cause action say conclusion wrong lacking reason consistency fourth amendment purposes overridden said find present facts substantial basis distinguishing case carroll case accordingly judgment affirmed affirmed justice murphy dissents justice burton concurring join opinion probable cause search within standards established carroll whether necessary probable cause search petitioner car existed government agents caught said much liquor got car time replied much clear lower courts found circumstances case necessary probable cause search petitioner car existed probable cause search existed point search begun lawful without search warrant demonstrated opinion search disclosed crime course commission presence arresting officers precisely officers good reason believe fact ensuing arrest petitioner lawful subsequent denial motion suppress evidence obtained search properly sustained view necessary purposes case establish probable cause search point earlier colloquy earlier events recited opinion disclose least ample grounds justify chase official interrogation petitioner government agents manner adopted interrogation quickly disclosed indisputable probable cause search arrest view earlier events justified steps taken ment agents events imposed upon government agents positive duty investigate manner adopted alertness proper occasions prompt inquiries investigations effective prevention crime enforcement law possible government agents commissioned represent interests public enforcement law requires affirmative action reasonable ground arrest probable cause search reasonable ground investigation increasingly true facts point directly crime course commission presence agent prompt investigation may discover still important may interrupt crime prevent damaging consequences present case moment agents saw petitioner driving heavily laden car oklahoma evidently en route missouri events justifying calling interrogation rapidly gained cumulative force nothing occurred even tended lessen reasonableness original basis suspicion agents crime within particular line duty committed presence nothing occurred make unlawful line duty make interrogation suggested interrogation petitioner voluntary response quoted response demonstrated ample probable cause immediate search petitioner car contraband liquor indicated might found interrogation petitioner thus made agents justifiable investigation crime reasonably suspected course commission presence resorted petitioner support motion suppress evidence crime government agents duties crime prevention crime detection well duty arresting offenders caught commission crime later identified committed crime performance first duties important performance last case performance first halted commission crime also resulted arrest offender justice jackson dissenting recently promulgated philosophy rights derived constitution entitled preferred position murdock pennsylvania dissent page saia new york agreed give constitutional rights preferred position without relegating others deferred position establish firsts without thereby establishing seconds indications wanting fourth amendment freedoms tacitly marked secondary rights relegated deferred position fourth amendment 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 protest mere rights belong catalog indispensable freedoms among deprivations rights none effective cowing population crushing spirit individual putting terror every heart uncontrolled search seizure one first effective weapons arsenal every arbitrary government one need briefly dwelt worked among people possessed many admirable qualities deprived rights know human personality deteriorates dignity disappear homes persons possessions subject hour unheralded search seizure police right secure searches seizures one difficult protect since officers chief invaders enforcement outside occasional flagrant abuses come attention courts search seizure yields incriminating evidence defendant least sufficiently compromised indicted officers raid home office stop search automobile find nothing incriminating invasion personal liberty innocent often finds practical redress may convinced many unlawful searches homes automobiles innocent people turn nothing incriminating arrest made courts nothing courts nothing never hear courts protect innocent invasions indirectly medium excluding evidence obtained frequently guilty federal courts used method enforcement amendment spite unfortunate consequences law enforcement although many state courts inconsistency disturb local excesses invasions liberty amenable political correction amendment directed new centralized government really dangerous threat general liberties people come source must therefore look upon exclusion evidence federal prosecutions obtained violation amendment means extending protection central government agencies search brinegar car must regarded search car everyman must remember extent privilege search seizure without warrant sustain officers interpret apply push limit must remember freedom unreasonable search differs rights constitution way innocent citizen invoke advance protection example effective interference freedom press free speech religion usually requires course suppressions citizen often go obtain injunction rights impartial jury aid counsel within supervisory power courts right compensation taking private property may vindicated act terms money illegal search seizure usually single incident perpetrated surprise conducted haste kept purposely beyond supervision limited judgment moderation officers whose interests records often stake search opportunity injunction appeal disinterested intervention citizen choice quietly submit whatever officers undertake resist risk arrest immediate violence must remember authority concede conduct searches seizures without warrant may exercised unfit ruthless officers well fit responsible resorted case petty misdemeanors well case gravest felonies prologue come case brinegar automobile one hence within express protection fourth amendment undoubtedly automobile presents peculiar problems enforcement agencies frequently facility perpetration crime aid escape criminals make judicial exceptions fourth amendment reasons seems depend somewhat upon gravity offense assume example child kidnaped officers throw roadblock neighborhood search every outgoing car drastic undiscriminating use search officers might unable show probable cause searching particular car however candidly strive hard sustain action executed fairly good faith might reasonable subject travelers indignity way save threatened life detect vicious crime strain sustain roadblock universal search salvage bottles bourbon catch bootlegger sustains search application carroll dissent regard extension carroll case already much taken enforcement officers blanket authority stop search cars suspicion shall confine opinion showing several ways decision seems expand already expansive right stop search automobiles first place national prohibition legislation found carroll case put congressional authority back search without warrant cars suspected violation congressional authority exists case voluntarily dispensing warrant case matter judicial policy carroll case required warrant holding act congress unconstitutional second important distinction carroll case lower found evidence showed probable cause search case two courts held except evidence turned search consider later probable cause assume facts indistinguishable important distinction emerges decisions carroll held facts permitted district convinced find probable cause holds facts require finding probable cause shift permissive mandatory basis shift inconsiderable significance sustained search without warrant carroll case emphatically dec ined dispense necessity evidence probable cause making search said intolerable unreasonable prohibition agent authorized stop every automobile chance finding liquor thus subject persons lawfully using highways inconvenience indignity search travelers may stopped crossing international boundary national protection reasonably requiring one entering country identify entitled come belongings effects may lawfully brought lawfully within country entitled use public highways right free passage without interruption search unless known competent official authorized search probable cause believing vehicles carrying contraband illegal merchandise page page analysis carroll facts shows several facts common two cases setting facts take color meaning differ essential respects carroll case primary ultimate fact accused engaged liquor running surmise hearsay carroll companion time arrest come meet two arresting officers known officials upon understanding customers wanting liquor carroll promised sell deliver three cases case reason failure deliver officers arrested positive personal knowledge men trafficking liquor also noted officers bargaining liquor saw learned number car bootleggers using business time arrest recognized car took judicial notice place whence carroll stopped coming international boundary one active centers introducing illegally country spiritous liquors distribution interior page page facts provided foundation opinion subject probable cause summed follows partners original combination sell liquor grand rapids together automobile night tried furnish whisky officers thus identified part firm equipment coming direction great source supply stock grand rapids plied trade officers saw defendants believed carrying liquor doubt think equally clear reasonable cause thinking page page rely almost exclusively information gained personal negotiations officers buy liquor defendants show probable cause dissenting members asserted circumstance subjected accused reasonable suspicion sort direct evidence personal knowledge lacking contrast proof brinegar trafficking illegal liquor rests inferences two circumstances neither one allowed proved trial one appears officers previously arrested brinegar charge conviction appear whether circumstances former arrest indicated strong probability event evidence prior arrest accused even admissible trial prove guilt occasion second basis inference officers also say brinegar putation liquor runner weakness hearsay evidence revealed trasting personal negotiations proved carroll one officers testimony reputation admissible trial defendant unless unwise enough open subject offering character testimony see greer say evidence inadmissible prove guilt trial may considered weighing probable cause surprised ready rule inadmissible evidence alone vital facts without facts give little indication guilt establish probable cause matter law fact officer malsed stated twice september september six months arrest saw brinegar missouri town liquor lawful loading liquor truck car case draws inference courts familiar presume local conditions refused draw seen loading liquor truck lawful proof defendant unlawfully trafficking liquor distance away carroll case evidence offering liquor sale anybody time carroll case offer sell liquor officers law violation seems rather foggy reasoning say courts obliged draw conclusion legal conduct illegal conduct think say lower courts wrong matter law holding probable cause time car put road stopped say proper consider deficiency supplied followed officers engaged chase speeds dangerous participated lawful wayfarers ditched defendant car either taking initial steps arrest search seizure committing completely lawless unjustifiable act intended set search unquestioned seems reason doubt minds thought cause right search done exactly done done rightfully executing warrant events whatever may lacked technically arrest search seizure form coercion duress color official formidable type duress course contend officials may never stop car highway without halting considered arrest search regulations traffic identifications proper traffic census quarantine regulations many causes give occasion stop cars circumstances imply arrest charge crime trail pursue suspected car destination observe keep surveillance arrest search car forced road summoned stop siren brought halt circumstances disclosed think officers position one entered home search commencement must valid saved turns johnson mcdonald see nueslein district columbia findings two courts make clear search began proceeded critical coercive phases without justification probable cause yielded save reverse judgment justice frankfurter justice murphy join opinion footnotes section liquor enforcement act stat see provides shall import bring transport intoxicating liquor state sales except scientific sacramental medicinal mechanical purposes intoxicating liquor containing per centum alcohol volume prohibited otherwise course continuous interstate transportation state attempt assist shall liquor accompanied permit permits license licenses therefor hereafter required laws state importation bringing transportation intoxicating liquor state prohibited laws thereof guilty misdemeanor shall fined imprisoned one year art effect time petitioner arrest made unlawful import cause imported state without permit intoxicating liquor containing per cent alcohol volume 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 neither opinion appeals unpublished opinion trial refers carroll case fourth amendment denounce searches seizures unreasonable reason authority true rule search seizure without warrant made upon probable cause upon belief reasonably arising circumstances known seizing officer automobile vehicle contains law subject seizure destruction search seizure valid carroll substantive offense charged carroll violation national prohibition act stat et seq violation liquor enforcement act case identification car previously used brinegar liquor running activities inferential although identification use joplin source supply direct undisputed government also stresses fact present carroll case flight brinegar realized pursued find unnecessary take account factor deciding case factor flight see husty talley heitner jones levine unlawful import oklahoma without permit intoxicating liquor defined laws state containing four per cent alcohol volume see note supra manufacture sale furnishing tra sportation intoxicating liquor forbidden oklahoma indeed showing stronger necessity carroll case resorting judicial notice establish either probable source supply illegal present record judicial notice hardly needed give us cognizance differing laws missouri oklahoma joplin proximity state line ready convenience one living near vinita might disposed use base supply importing liquor oklahoma violation state federal statutes noted carroll case neither cited referred opinions filed trial appeals anything record us showing carroll decision considered rulings made hearing motion suppress trial appeals however thought even fact arrest evidence insufficient show probable cause time brinegar passed police car inappropriateness applying rules evidence criterion determine probable cause apparent case application warrant magistrate context issue probable cause frequently arises ordinary rules evidence generally applied ex parte proceedings opponent invoke partly judge determination usually discretionary partly seldom final mainly system evidence rules devised special control trials jury wigmore evidence see also note see grau said way dictum search warrant may issue upon evidence competent trial offense jury giles wagner proposition authority decisions stated case evidence adduced prove probable cause incompetent insufficient support inference necessary existence probable cause statement repeated wagner case relies solely upon giles case cited grau holds warrant bad issued basis conclusions grau dictum occasionally applied stated dictum courts appeals district courts simmons worthington see also reeve howe novero cf davis see note criticism grau dictum see note infra text marshall full statement locke may added term cause according usual acceptation means less evidence justify condemnation cases seizure fixed well known meaning imports seizure made circumstances warrant suspicion cranch effect husty dumbra steele stacey emery carroll opinion also quotes approval following statement facts circumstances officer warrant man prudence caution believing offense committed sufficient page page ascription statement locke cranch appears error citation see discussion exceptions carroll opinion ff intolerable unreasonable prohibition agent authorized stop every automobile chance finding liquor thus subject persons lawfully using highways inconvenience indignity search travelers may stopped crossing international boundary national reasonably requiring one entering country identify entitled come belongings effects may lawfully brought lawfully within country entitled use public highways right free passage without interruption search unless known competent official authorized search probable cause believing vehicles carrying contraband illegal merchandise carroll carroll case based national prohibition act stat section statute provided officer discovered person transporting liquor violation law vehicle officer duty seize liquor take possession vehicle arrest person found charge thereof officer required proceed person one found claiming vehicle sold appropriate notice proceeds paid treasury section act authorized search warrants private dwellings used illicit liquor business proposed amend statute forbid search automobile without warrant disagreement house senate restriction finally rejected carroll case legislative history proposed stanley amendment considered length concluded without amendment act way open searching automobile without warrant search malicious without probable cause stated issue thus intent congress make distinction necessity search warrant searching private dwellings automobiles road vehicles enforcement prohibition act thus clearly established legislative history stanley amendment distinction consistent fourth amendment