Greenwood vs. California (1988)
Details: The police suspected Billy Greenwood of drug dealing, but did not have enough evidence for a search warrant. The police used evidence from his garbage on the curb for a search warrant and Greenwood was arrested on felony charges.
Decision/Justification: 6 votes for California, 2 against. The court said that since his garbage was "readily accessible to animals, children, scavengers, snoops, and other members of the public," it was reasonable for search and seizure.
Lasting effect (precedent/significance): If your garbage is placed in public where anyone can seize it then search and seizure is reasonable.
Important/relevant details: Dissenter Justice Brennan argued that “scrutiny of another's trash is contrary to commonly accepted notions of civilized behavior.”
Decision/Justification: 6 votes for California, 2 against. The court said that since his garbage was "readily accessible to animals, children, scavengers, snoops, and other members of the public," it was reasonable for search and seizure.
Lasting effect (precedent/significance): If your garbage is placed in public where anyone can seize it then search and seizure is reasonable.
Important/relevant details: Dissenter Justice Brennan argued that “scrutiny of another's trash is contrary to commonly accepted notions of civilized behavior.”