Camara v. Municipal Court
United States Supreme Court
387 U.S. 523 (1967)
Relevant factsFree
Camara (defendant) refused to let a San Francisco housing inspector conduct a warrantless inspection of his apartment after being told he was violating the building's occupancy permit, and refused again when inspectors returned demanding entry under the housing code; he was cited, arrested, and charged for refusing the inspection. Camara sought a writ of prohibition, which the trial and appellate courts denied, and the case reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
IssueFree
Whether the Fourth Amendment requires consent or a warrant before a routine administrative housing inspection, and if so, what standard of probable cause applies.