United States v. Place (1982)

Docket
81-1617
Decided
1982-01-01

Summary

Question: Was the ninety minute seizure of the traveler's luggage a valid investigative stop under Terry ? Did the "sniff test" by the dog constitute a search? Conclusion: No and no. Seizures pursuant to investigative detentions are lawful only if they are limited in scope, as described in Terry , and evidence resulting from such unlawful seizures must be suppressed. The "sniff" of a properly trained narcotics detection dog does not constitute a search within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment.

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