Steagald v. United States case brief

Steagald v. United States case brief summary 

Steagald v. United States, 451 U.S. 204 (1981), is a United States Supreme Court case which held that, based on the Fourth Amendment, a police officer may not conduct a warrantless search of a third party's home in an attempt to apprehend the subject of an arrest warrant, absent consent or exigent circumstances.

Facts:
The police received a tip from informant of phone number of wanted man Lyons. They received the address and went to the home the phone company provided. When they got there, they searched the home without a warrant for anyone besides Lyon and found a little coke. One officer went to get a warrant while he was gone the officer did another search. During the third search with the warrant they found 43 pounds of coke
There was an outstanding arrest warrant for Lyons ONLY.

Arrest warrant: showing probable cause exists to believe that the subject of the warrant has committed an offense and thus the warrant serves to protect an individual from unreasonable seizure
If they entered with a search warrant and found the cocaine they would then need an arrest warrant for Steagald.

But they probably could say that they didn’t because he would have destroyed the evidence or leave someone there while they go get an arrest warrant.

Search warrant: There was probable cause to believe that the legitimate object of a search is located in a particular place, and therefore safeguards an individual’s rights in the privacy of his home and possessions against the unjustified intrusion of the police

 
In order to get into Steagald’s house they need a search warrant.
Have to show probable cause that Lyons was inside of the home. 
If they go in with an arrest warrant to arrest someone they can use anything in plain view for evidence if they want to go into any bedrooms they need a search warrant .