CALIFORNIA

V.
GREENWOO
D
BY: ALI ROZBEH
CASE SUMMARY

 The United States Supreme Court concluded in California v. Greenwood in 1988

that the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution does not forbid the
warrantless search and seizure of trash that has been left beyond a home's
boundaries for collection.
 Billy Greenwood was engaged in the investigation and was thought to be
trafficking drugs. Police had a warrant to search his home, but before they could
carry it out, they observed Greenwood place a number of rubbish bags on the curb
for pickup. After searching the waste bags, the cops discovered signs of drug
usage. Greenwood was detained and found guilty of distributing drugs.
MAJOR LEGAL QUESTION

 The primary legal issue in the case was whether Greenwood's Fourth Amendment
right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures was violated by the
unlawful search of his trash?
  The warrantless search of Greenwood's trash was determined not
to have violated his Fourth Amendment rights by the Supreme
COURT Court. The court ruled that there is no reasonable expectation of
DECISION privacy in rubbish left for pickup and that it is discarded property.
The Court further pointed out that the trash had been dumped in a
place that was open to scavengers, animals, and kids.
LANDMARK OUTCOME

 A crucial impact on law enforcement procedures has resulted from the landmark
judgment in California v. Greenwood. Even if the rubbish is placed beyond a
home's boundaries, the ruling permits law officials to inspect it without a warrant.
This has made it simpler for law enforcement to look into crimes and obtain
evidence.
 By submitting this assignment, I certify I have abided by all requirements of the GMU
honor code. I certify that this is entirely my own work, no unauthorized sources have
been used, and all sources used have been properly cited.
SOURCES

 United States v. Certain Real Property Loc. at 987 Fisher Rd., 719 F. Supp. 1396 (E.D.
Mich. 1989). (n.d.). Justia Law. https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-
courts/FSupp/719/1396/1437877/
 California v. (Verus) Greenwood: Did the United States Supreme Court Trash the
Fourth Amendment? | Office of Justice Programs. (1988, January 1). California V.
(Verus) Greenwood: Did the United States Supreme Court Trash the Fourth
Amendment? | Office of Justice Programs. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-
library/abstracts/california-v-verus-greenwood-did-united-states-supreme-court-
trash