California v. Greenwood
United States Supreme Court
486 U.S. 35 (1988)
Relevant factsFree
Police had a garbage collector retrieve Greenwood's (defendant's) curbside trash, and evidence found inside supported a warrant to search his home, ultimately leading to drug charges; the trial court found the trash search unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment and California's constitution and dismissed the charges, and the appellate courts affirmed before California sought Supreme Court review.
IssueFree
Whether a warrantless search of trash left outside on the curb for collection violates the Fourth Amendment.