# Supplemental Brief — Ruggles v. California

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## Record

- **Collection:** Supreme Court brief
- **Document type:** Supplemental Brief
- **Published:** January 1, 1981
- **Citation:** 453 U.S. 919

## Text

Supreme Court, U.S.
. 4 FILED
2 Cw ry DEC 30 1980
we MICHAEL RODAK, JR., CLERK
% No. 80 - 5677
NN
a IN THE
wo SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
wo me OCTOBER TERM, 1980 OR
x ° ORIGINAL COPY

y =

DAVID WENDELL RUGGLES, |
Petitioner,
- against -
STATE OF CALIFORNIA,

Respondent.

SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT
OF PETITION FOR CERTIORARI

STEPHEN YAGMAN

Attorney for Petitioner
10880 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 1900

Los Angeles, California 90024
(213) 475-4988

No. 80 - 5677
IN THE
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
OCTOBER TERM, 1980

DAVID WENDELL RUGGLES,
Petitioner,
- against -
STATE OF CALIFORNIA,

Respondent.

TO: THE HONORABLE, THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES
AND THE ASSOCIATE JUSTICES OF THE UNITED STATES SUPREME
COURT

Petitioner, DAVID WENDELL RUGGLES, filed a motion

for leave to proceed in forma pauperis and a petition for

certiorari on November 6, 1980. This supplemental memorandum

is respectfully submitted in support of the petition for
certiorari.
Since the Supreme Court announced its decision in

Arkansas v. Sanders,” 442 U.S. 753 (1979), federal and state

courts throughout the country have attempted to apply the
rationale of that decision in a variety of fact situations
and with a varying degree of success. An extensive index
of published decisions interpreting Sanders follows
indicating the pertinent facts of each case and the con-
clusion of each court as to the admissibility of evidence

discovered as the result of a warrantless search.

Most of the decisions have concentrated attention
upon whether the defendant had a reasonable expectation of
privacy in the parcel subjected to a search, rather than
upon whether law enforcement officers had gained exclusive
control over the parcel. As a result, application of the
Sanders rationale has been inconsistent and often confusing.

Because the instant case presents facts remarkably
similar to those involved in Sanders, the Court is presented
with a unique opportunity to clarify its earlier decision.
Appellant suggests that greater emphasis placed upon whether
law enforcement officers have exclusive control of a
parcel would lead to more consistent application of the

principles of the Fourth Amendment embodied in Sanders.

.FEDERAL COURTS

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT:
- United States v. Harris, 627 F.2d 474 (D.C. Cir.

1980) (conviction vacated on another issue)
FIRST CIRCUIT:
- United States v. Dall, 608 F.2d 910 (lst Cir. 1979)

(pickup truck, evidence admitted, Sanders distinguished
-- inventory search)
SECOND CIRCUIT:
- United States v. Dien, 609 F.2d 1038 (2d Cir. 1979),

Aff'd on rehearing 615 F.2d 10 (2d Cir. 1980)

(cartons in van -- suppressed)

- United States v. Ocampo, 492 F. Supp. 1211 (E.D.N.Y.

1980) (car trunk; taped cardboard box -- suppress,
open flight bag and plastic shopping bag partially
covered by shirt -- admit)

- United States v. Mannino, 487 F. Supp. 508 (S.D.N.Y.

1980) (sealed boxes - suppress; closed but unsealed

boxes and white plastic bag - admit), aff'd, — F.2d (2d Cir

1980)
- United States v. Markland, 489 F. Supp. 932 (D.

Conn. 1980) (zippered opaque plastic bag thrown from
car by traffic accident - suppress)
THIRD CIRCUIT:

- Milhollan v. United States, 599 F.2d 518 (3d Cir.),

cert. denied, 444 U.S. 909 (1979) (Brennan, Marshall,

& Powell, J.J., dissenting) (satchel in impounded car --
Sanders distinguished - evidence admitted)
FOURTH CIRCUIT:

- United States v. Presler, 610 F.2d 1206 (4th Cir.

1979) (plastic box and locked briefcase left with
friend without key - sunpress)
FIFTH CIRCUIT:
- United States v. Rigales, 630 F.2d 364 (5th Cir.
1980) (zippered case in car - suppress)
- United States v. Forrest, 620 F.2d 446 (5th Cir.

1980) (Sanders distinguished -- trailer of semi rig
same as automobile; exigent circumstances)

- United States v. Bella, 605 F.2d 160 (5th Cir. 1979)

(guitar case and luggage in car - suppress)
- United States v. Miller, 608 F.2d 1089 (5th Cir.

1979) (plastic portfolio behind driver's seat -
suppress)-- cert. denied, 100 S. Ct. 3020 (1980)

- Jnited States v. Morris, 491 F. Supp. 222 (S.D. Ga.

1980) (Sanders distinguished -- if proper search
warrant for search of home, no additional warrant

needed to search jewelry box found therein)

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SIXTH CIRCUIT:

- United States v. Calandra, 605 F.2d 236 (6th Cir.

1979) (Chadwick held not retroactive; hand carried
briefcase)

- United States v. Rivers, 486 F. Supp. 1025 (N.D.

Tex. 1980) (heavy plastic garbage bags in vehicle -

suppress)

- United States v. Hartman, 627 F.2d 7 (6th Cir. 1980)

(suitcase in car - suppress)
SEVENTH CIRCUIT:

- United States v. Garcia, 605 F.2d 349 (7th Ciz. ‘

1979), cert. denied, 100 S. Ct. 2966 (1980)

(Sanders distinguished -- hand carried luggage,
incident to arrest - admit)

- United States v. Bulgier, 618 F.2d 472 (7th Cir.

1980) (Sanders distinguished -- private search of
package by airline in course of normal procedures
followed by controlled delivery - admit)

- United States v. White, 607 F.2d 203 (7th Cir.

1979) (attache case in car -- evidence supported

possibility that gun had been thrown from car;
immediate search of briefcase deemed necessary to
determine whether more extensive search for gun
along road might be necessary to safeguard public -
admit)

NINTH CIRCUIT:

- United States v. Mackey, 626 F.2d 684 (9th Cir. 1980)

(paper bag under car seat - admit)
- United States v. MacKay, 606 F.2d 264 (9th Cir. 1979)

(suitcase in car trunk - suppress)

- Moran v. Morris, 478 F. Supp. 145 (C.D. Cal. 1979)

(briefcase in shed - suppress (dicta) )

- United States v. Passaro, 624 F.2d 938 (9th Cir.

1980) (Sanders distinguished -- wallet taken from
person at time of arrest - admit)
TENTH CIRCUIT:

- United States v. Kralik, 611 F.2d 343 (10th Cir.

1979) (Sanders distinguished -- no additional warrant
necessary to search suitcase found in car searched
pursuant to valid warrant)

- United States v. Andrews, 618 F.2d 646 (10th Cir.

1980) (Sanders distinguished -- sealed package searched
by airline personnel followed by controlled delivery -
admit)

- United States v. Rengifo-Castro, 620 F.2d 230 (10th

Cir. 1980) (suitcase in car - suppress)

- United States v. Meier, 602 F.2d 253 (10th Cir. 1979)

(backpack in car - suppress)
- United States v. Gooch, 603 F.2d 122 (10th Cir. 1979)

(briefcase aboard aircraft - suppress (dicta) )

a

STATE COURTS

ALABAMA :

- Reid v. State, 388 So. 2d 208 (Ala. 1980) (toolbox

affixed to body of pickup truck not otherwise
immobilized - admit)
ARIZONA:

- State v. Crutchfield, 123 Ariz. 570, 601 P.2d 333

(1879) (Chadwick case -- suitcase in possession of

defendant at airport - suppress)

ARKANSAS:
- Moore v. State, 594 S.W.2d 245 (Ark. 1980)

(shaving kit in car - suppress)

- Daigger v. State, 595 S.W.2d 653 (Ark. 1980)

(purse between two front seats of car - admit)
CALIFORNIA:

- People v. Yuna, 80 Daily Journal D.A.R. 3186 (C.A.

lst, Nov. 26, 1980) (jacket on back seat of car -

suppress)

California v. Robbins, 103 Cal. App. 3d 34, 162

Cal. Rptr. 780 (1980) (green plastic-wrapped blocks

in car -- Sanders distinguished - readily identifiable
by trained officers as marijuana - admit); petition
for cert. filed, July 29, 1980 (80-148)

California v. Musante, 102 Cal. App. 3d 156, 162

Cal. Rptr. 158, cert. denied, 49 U.S.L.W. 3282

(No. 79-1909, Oct. 21, 1980) (closed electric blanket

box on back seat of stolen vehicle - suppress)

People v. Rodriguez, 102 Cal. App. 3d 510, 162 Cal.

Rptr. 535 (1980), hearing granted June 19, 1980 (Cal.

Sup. Ct.) (car trunk - suppress (Sanders dicta)

- People v. Gott, 160 Cal. Rptr. 307 (1979) (car trunk - .

suppress (dicta) )

- People v. Haynes, 106 Cal. App. 3d 413, 165 Cal.

Rptr. 138 (1980) (Sanders distinguished -- car trunk,

exigent circumstances - admit)

California v. Dalton, 24 Cal. 3d 850, 598 P.2d 467,

157 Cal. Rptr. 497, cert.denied, 445 U.S. 946 (1980)

(metal boxes in car trunk - suppress)

People v. Bullwinkle, 105 Cal. App. 3d 82, 164

Cal. Rptr. 163 (1980) (Sanders distinguished --
purse in possession of defendant; booking type
search - admit)

Bell v. Superior Court, 101 Cal. App. 3d 238, 161

Cal. Rptr. 455(1980) (athletic bag on floor behind

driver's seat - suppress)

People v. Flores, 100 Cal. App. 3d 221, 160 Cal.

Rptr. 839 (1980) (Sanders distinguished -- shoulderbag
at defendant's feet, exigent circumstances)

People v. Diaz, 101 Cal. App. 3d 440, 161 Cal. Rptr.

645 (1980) (soft drink cup in car - admit)

People v. Harris, 105 Cal. App. 3d 204, 164 Cal.

Rptr. 296 (1980) (Sanders distinguished -- purse
in defendant's possession - admit)

People v. Chavers, 105 Cal. App. 3d 505, 164 Cal.

Rptr. 449 (1980) (bag in glove compartment - suppress)

People v. Jenkins, 106 Cal. App. 3d 731, 165 Cal.

Rptr. 361 (1980) (blue balloon in house - admit --
Sanders distinguished; no expectation of privacy)

People v. Fick, 107 Cal. App. 3d 892, 166 Cal. Rptr.

106 (1980) (grocery bag on front seat - admit)

People v. Sims, 109 Cal. App. 3d 900, 167 Cal. Rptr.

506 (1980) (closed briefcase in car - suppress)

People v. George, 110 Cal. App. 3d 528, 168 Cal. Rptr.

44 (1980) (vest on front seat - suppress)

People v. Brown, Cal. App. 3d , 168 Cal. Rptr.

806 (1980) (plastic bag - admit -- Sanders distinguished;

contents discernable)

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- People v. Scott, 95 Cal. App. 3d Supp. 8, 158 Cal.

Rptr. 220 (1980) (cigarette box emitting odor of ether

in car - admit)

People v. Riegler, Cal. App. 3d , 168 Cal. Rptr.

816 (1980) (wrapped and sealed packages searched by

customs, followed by controlled delivery with warrant;
warrant did not extend to car where package found -
suppress)

People v. Bundesen, 106 Cal. App. 3d 508, 165 Cal.

Rptr. 174 (1980) (wallet taken from person - admit --

Sanders distinguished; booking search)

COLORADO:

People v. Little, 598 P.2d 140 (Colo. 1979) (zippered

travel bag in apartment - suppress)

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA:

In the Matter of B.K.C., 413 A.2d 894 (U.S. App. D.C.

1980) (briefcase in possession of companion - suppress

(dicta) )

FLORIDA:

State v. Howell, 384 So. 2d 60 (Fla. Dist Ct. App.

1980) (briefcase in trunk - suppress)

Cobb v. State, 378 So. 2d 82 (Fla. Dist Ct. App. 1979)

(briefcase on rear floorboard - suppress)

Ulesky v. State, 374 So. 2d 121 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App.

1979) (purse in vehicle - suppress)

Haugland v. State, 374 So. 2d 1026 (Fla. Dist Ct. App.

1979) (luggage in trunk - suppress)
Liles v. State, 375 So. 2d 1094 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App.

1979) (partially open satchel on front seat - suppress)

(Cert. dismissed, 383 So. 2d 1203 (1980))

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- Shafi v. State, 377 So. 2d 787 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App.

1979) (luggage in car - suppress)

- Sower v. State, 282 So. 2d 1257 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App.

1980) (lockers in trucks - suppress)

GEORGIA:

- Buday v. State, 150 Ga. App. 686, 258 S.E.2d 318

(1979) (luggage in trunk - suppress)

- Fears v. State, 152 Ga. App. 817, 264 S.E.2d 284

(1980) (tote bag left at sister's house and searched

with her consent - admit)

- Gaston v. State, 270 S.E.2d 877 (Ga. App. 1980) (blue

bag removed from car by defendant after accident and

handed to bystander - suppress)

HAWAII:

State v. Rosborough, 615 P.2d 84 (Haw. 1980) (footlocker

at airport; matchbox on person - suppress)

ILLINOIS:

People v. DeRusha, 74 Ill. App. 3d 641, 393 N.E.2d

619 (1979) (luggage in car - admit -- Sanders distinguished;
car not immobilized)

People v. Bayles, 76 Ill. App. 3d 843, 395 N.E.2d 663

(1979) (suitcase on ground near overturned car - suppress)

People v. Rinaldo, 80 Ill. App. 3d 433, 399 N.E.2d

1027 (1980) (box in back of car - suppress)
People v. Boyd, 41 Ill. Dec. 484, 407 N.E.2d 982 (1980)

(cardboard box; defendant grabbed box from front seat

while companion being arrested and locked it in trunk -

suppress)

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INDIANA:

- Bradford v. State, 401 N.E.2d 77. (Ind. App.1980)

(purse in car - suppress)
IOWA:

- State v. Schrier, 283 N.W.2d 338 (Iowa 1979) (knapsack

on floorboard near driver, contraband protruding - admit)

MAINE:
- State v. Blais, 416 A.2d 1253 (Me. 1980) (rolled up

plastic bag in trunk - suppress)

- State v. Hassapelis, 404 A.2d 232 (Me. 1980) (gym bag

on floor of vehicle - suppress, but harmless because
merely cumulative)
MARYLAND:

- Pirner v. State, 45 Md. App. 50, 411 A.2da 135 (1980)

(duffel bag under passenger seat - suppress)

- Manalansan v. State, 45 Md. App. 667, 415 A.2d 308

(1980) (bag on back seat - suppress)
- Liichow v. State, 419 A.2d 1041 (Md. 1980) (opaque

plastic bag being carried from trailer home - suppress)

MASSACHUSETTS:

- Commonwealth v. Moon, 394 N.E.2d 984 (Mass. App. 1979),

aff'd, Mass. , 405 N.E.2d 947 (1980) (wallet on
front seat, defendant not present - suppress)
MINNESOTA:

- State v. Filipi, 297 N.W.2d 275 (Minn. 1980) (duffel bag

in trunk - suppress)

- State v. Cavegn, 294 N.W.2d 717 (Minn. 1980) (brown

paper bag held by defendant inside zippered jacket

- admit -- Sanders distinguished; incident to arrest)

MISSOURI:

NEW

State v. Oberg, 602 S.W.2d 948 (Mo. App. 1980)

(sealed metal containers being unloaded from

van - suppress)
JERSEY:

State v. Hayburn, 171 N.J. Supre. 390, 409 A.2d 802

(1979) (car trunk - suppress)

State v. Kahlon, 172 N.J. Super. 331, 411 A.2d 1178

(1980) (box in trunk - admit -- Sanders not retroactive;
exigent circumstances present)

State v. Pace, 171 N.J. Super. 240, 408 A.2d 808

(1979) (attache case in car trunk - suppress)

Goings v. New Jersey, cert.denied, 49 U.S.L.W. 3220

(U.S. Oct. 7, 1980) (No. 79-1860) (from Appellate Division

Superior Court) (shoulder bag impounded after defendant

had opportunity to remove its contents - admit)

Epp v. New Jersey, cert. denied, 49 U.S.L.W. 3221

(U.S. Oct. 7, 1980) (No. 79-1861) (from Appellate Division
Superior Court) (luggage in car - admit -- Sanders not
retroactive)

Kaufman v. New Jersey, cert.denied, 49 U.S.L.W. 3265

(U.S. Oct. 14, 1980) (No. 80-216) (from Appellate Division
Superior Court) (luggage in car - admit -- Sanders not
retroactive)

Hatami v. New Jersey, petition for certification denied

mem., 82 N.J. 295, 412 A.2d 801 (1980), cert. denied,

49 U.S.L.W. 3421 (U.S. Dec. 9, 1980) (No. 80-562) (gym bag

in car - admit --Sanders not retroactive)

NEW MEXICO:

- State v. Bramlett, 94 N.M. 263, 609 P.2d 345 (1980)

(duffel bag and lunch box in car trunk - suppress)

- State v. Walker, 93 N.M. 769, 605 P.2d 1168 (1980)

(suitcase in van - suppress)

- State v. Luna, 93 N.M. 773, 606 P.2d 183 (1980) (car

search invalid but harmless under circumstances)
NEW YORK:

- People v. Spencer, 74 A.D.2d 77, 426 N.Y¥.S.2d 605

(1980) (sealed cardboard box in car trunk - suppress)

- People v. Belton, 50 N.Y.2d 447, 407 N.E.2d 420,

429 N.Y.S.2d 574 (1980) (zippered pockets of jacket on

back seat - suppress), pet. for cert. filed, 49 U.S.L.W.

3292 (U.S. Sept. 2, 1980) (No. 80-328)

- People v. Howard, 50 N.Y.2d 583, 408 N.E.2d 908,

430 N.Y.S.2d 578 (1980) (vanity case thrown by running

defendant - suppress), cert. denied, 49 U.S.L.W. 3403

(U.S. Dec. 2, 1980) (No. 80-543)
NORTH CAROLINA:

- State v. Gauldin, 44 N.C. App. 19, 259 S.E.2d 779 (1979),

pet. for rehearing denied, 265 S.E.2d 399 (1980)

(suitcase in back of car - suppress)

- State v. Cole, 46 N.C. App. 593, 265 S.E.2d 507 (1980)

(large winter’ jacket stuffed with other clothing in
car trunk - suppress)

OREGON:

- State v. Burns, 43 Or. App. 937, 607 P.2d 735 (1979)

(wallet on defendant's person - admit -- Sanders

distinguished; incident to arrest)

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- State v. DeLong, 43 Or. App. 183, 602 P.2da 665 (1979)

(camera case in car trunk - suppress)
PENNSYLVANIA:

- Commonwealth v. Timko, 417 A.2d 620 (Pa. 1980)
(zipperred valise in van - suppress)
RHODE ISLAND:

- State v. Burke, 415 A.2d 1314 (R.I. 1980) (per curiam,
mem.) (luggage in car - suppress)
_ TEXAS:

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~ Nastu v. State, 589 S.W.2d 434 (Tex. Cr. App. 1979)

(luggage in car - admit -- Sanders not retroactive)

- Araj v. State, 592 S.W.2d 603 (Tex. Cr. App. 1980)

(attache case in back of car - suppress)
WASHINGTON:

- State v. Marcum, 24 Wash. App. 975, 601 P.2a 975

(1979) (athletic bag in trunk - suppress)

- State v. Grundy, 25 Wash. App. 411, 607 P.2da 1235

(1980) (footlocker next to car - suppress)
WEST VIRGINIA:

- State v. Tomey, 259 S.E.2d 16 (W. Va. 1979) (suitcase
on back seat - suppress)

WISCONSIN:

- State v. Prober, 297 N.W.2d 1 (Wis. 1980) (purse in
car trunk - suppress)

FEDERAL COURTS - SUPPLEMENT

- United States v. Benson, 631 F.2d 1336 (8th Cir. 1980)

(unlocked tote bag on passenger seat - suppress)

Respectfully submitted,

STEPHEN YAG 7
Attorney for Petitioner

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PAUL W. GRACE

Attorney for Petitioner
10880 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 1900

Los Angeles, California 90024
(213) 475-4988

Dated: December 29, 1980
; Los Angeles, California

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/brief%3Amicro_IA40385007_1798%3A2. Public record. Not legal advice.