514 P.2d 442 | Ariz. | 1973
This is an appeal by the State from an order of the Superior Court of Pima County granting defendant Gowans’ motion to suppress evidence discovered in the trunk of his car during an inventory search of his automobile. The Court of Appeals, Division Two, reversed, 18 Ariz. App. 110, 500 P.2d 641 (1972), and we granted Gowans’ petition for review because of the Court of Appeals’ reliance upon the “plain view” doctrine followed by the California Supreme Court in Mozzetti v. Superior Court, 4 Cal.3d 699, 94 Cal. Rptr. 412, 484 P.2d 84 (1971).
The sole issue before this court is whether the inventory of defendant’s vehicle was reasonable and lawful under the circumstances.
The facts necessary for a determination of this matter on appeal are set out in the opinion of the Court of Appeals as follows : “ * * * Gowans was stopped on an open highway by an Arizona Highway patrolman because of erratic driving. The officer, believing he was under the influence of intoxicating liquor, immediately arrested defendant for driving under the influence of alcohol and placed him in his patrol car. Because Gowans’ car had to be removed from the highway, the officer called for assistance. A routine inventory of the defendant’s automobile, including opening and looking in the trunk, was made. The officers noted two garbage disposal-type bags in the trunk which were in plain view. These bags contained a substance not familiar to the arresting officers but another officer who came to the scene identified the contents of the bags as marijuana. The contents were visible without the bags having to be opened or moved in any way ”
“Where, as here, the trunk of an automobile, which the officer reasonably believed to contain a gun, was vulnerable to intrusion by vandals, we hold that the search was not 'unreasonable’ within the meaning of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments.” -U.S. at--, 93 S.Ct. at 2531. (Emphasis added)
We hold, therefore, that the search in the instant case was reasonable and lawful under the circumstances.
That portion of the opinion of the Court of Appeals, 18 Ariz.App. 110, 500 P.2d 641 (1972), which seemingly bases its decision on the “plain view” doctrine is vacated. The order of the- Superior Court of Pima County granting the defense motion to supress the evidence is set aside.