Chambers v. Maroney case brief

Chambers v. Maroney case brief summary
399 U.S. 42 (1970)

CASE SYNOPSIS

Petitioner, convicted of robbery, sought review of a ruling from the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which affirmed the denial of his petition for writ of habeas corpus. The principal issue addressed on appeal was the admissibility of evidence seized from a car, in which petitioner was riding at the time of his arrest, after the car was taken to a police station and was there thoroughly searched without a warrant.

CASE FACTS

• Based on descriptions by a robbery victim and witnesses, police stopped a car in which petitioner was riding. 
• He and the other occupants were arrested and charged with armed robbery. 
• The car was taken to the police station, where officers conducted a warrantless search producing guns and stolen property. 
• This evidence was admitted at trial, and petitioner was convicted for robbery. 
• After unsuccessful habeas proceedings in state court, petitioner sought a writ of habeas corpus in district court. 
• His petition was denied without a hearing, and the court of appeals affirmed. 

DISCUSSION

• On certiorari, the court affirmed, holding that the warrantless search of the car at the police station did not constitute a violation of petitioner's rights under U.S. Constitutional Amendment IV. 
• The court reasoned that the police had probable cause to arrest the car's occupants for robbery and to search the car for the fruits of the crime; that an immediate warrantless search of the car at the time and place of arrest would have been constitutionally permissible; that the probable-cause factor still obtained at the police station; and that it was reasonable for police to take the car there before making the search.

CONCLUSION

The court affirmed the denial of petitioner's request for writ of habeas corpus, holding, inter alia, that the warrantless station search of the car in which petitioner was riding at the time of arrest did not violate petitioner's Fourth Amendment rights.

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