Steagald v. United States
United States Supreme Court
451 U.S. 204 (1981)
DEA agents had an arrest warrant for Ricky Lyons and a tip that he'd be at the home of Gary Steagald (defendant). Finding Steagald and another man outside but not Lyons, agents entered and searched Steagald's home for Lyons anyway, discovering what they believed was cocaine; a later search warrant turned up 43 pounds of cocaine. Steagald was convicted of drug crimes and appealed, arguing the initial warrantless search of his home was unreasonable. The court of appeals affirmed, and the Supreme Court granted certiorari.
Whether, absent consent or exigent circumstances, the Fourth Amendment permits police holding only an arrest warrant for one person to search a third party's home for that person without a separate search warrant.