
Samson v. California
What's at Stake
This case reviews whether the Fourth Amendment permits a police officer to search a parolee on the public streets without any basis for suspicion. DECIDED
Stay informed about our latest work in the courts.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU's privacy statement.
Summary
The defendant in this case was stopped and searched by a police officer on the public streets of San Bruno, California. The police officer knew that the defendant was on parole but had no basis to suspect him of violating the law. Even assuming that parolees are subject to suspicionless search by their parole officers, the question in this case is whether the same latitude should be given to police officers in the exercise of their general law enforcement duties.
Legal Documents
- 12/13/2005
ACLU Amicus Brief in Samson v. California
Press Releases
ACLU Urges Supreme Court to Reaffirm Legal Limits of Police Search and Seizure Powers