Maryland v. Pringle

Citation. Maryland v. Pringle, 540 U.S. 366, 124 S. Ct. 795, 157 L. Ed. 2d 769, 72 U.S.L.W. 4103, 2003 Cal. Daily Op. Service 10763, 17 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. S 83 (U.S. Dec. 15, 2003)

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CitationMaryland v. Pringle, 540 U.S. 366, 124 S. Ct. 795, 157 L. Ed. 2d 769, 2003 U.S. LEXIS 9198, 72 U.S.L.W. 4103, 2003 Cal. Daily Op. Service 10763, 17 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. S 83 (U.S. Dec. 15, 2003)

Maryland v. Pringle, 540 U.S. 366, 124 S. Ct. 795, 157 L. Ed. 2d 769, 2003 U.S. LEXIS 9198, 72 U.S.L.W. 4103, 2003 Cal. Daily Op. Service 10763, 17 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. S 83 (U.S. Dec. 15, 2003)

Brief Fact Summary. Pringle appealed a conviction, based on lack of probable cause, when he was arrested for paraphernalia found in the back of another person’s a car, while sitting in the front.

Synopsis of Rule of Law. When a reasonable officer can conclude that a defendant is guilty, probable cause exists.

Points of Law - Legal Principles in this Case for Law Students.

The quantity of drugs and cash in the car indicated the likelihood of drug dealing, an enterprise to which a dealer would be unlikely to admit an innocent person with the potential to furnish evidence against him.

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Facts. Respondent, Pringle, was the front-seat passenger in a car that was stopped for speeding. Upon stopping the car, the arresting officer found money in the glove compartment and cocaine in the back-seat armrest. The officer arrested all three occupants of the car and Pringle was convicted for possession with intent to distribute cocaine after he signed a written confession. Pringle appealed, arguing that probable cause to arrest him did not exist.

Issue. Whether the arrest of a front-seat passenger in a car driven by its owner lacks probable cause in violation of the Fourth Amendment when the basis for the arrest is paraphernalia found in the back of the car.

Held. When finding contraband in an automobile, there is probable cause to arrest its occupants, regardless of their proximity from the contraband.

Discussion. There is no violation of the Fourth Amendment ban against unreasonable searches and seizures when a reasonable officer can conclude probable cause in his arrest.

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