Vale v. Louisiana
United States Supreme Court
399 U.S. 30 (1970)
Relevant factsFree
Police with an arrest warrant but no search warrant watched Vale's house, saw what appeared to be a drug transaction on the front steps, arrested him on the sidewalk, and then searched his house without a warrant, finding narcotics. Vale sought to suppress the evidence, and Louisiana courts upheld the search as incident to a lawful arrest.
IssueFree
Whether an arrest occurring on the street, without more, justifies a warrantless search of the arrestee's house.