October Term 2003 · Docket 02-809
Does a car passenger have probable cause for arrest when drugs are found in the vehicle?
Maryland argues that finding drugs in a car creates probable cause to arrest any passenger. Pringle argues that specific evidence must link the passenger to the drugs.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Gary Bair argued that the officer found drugs and cash in the car.
Bair stated that these items supported the arrest of the passenger.
Chief Justice Rehnquist noted the case was submitted after the opening.
Ms. Forster argued that the case involved highly unusual facts.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 41-17 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 41-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 39-41
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of probable cause in vehicle stops. The dispute centers on whether police need individualized evidence to arrest a passenger.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 41-17 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 41-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 11-33
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 3, 2003.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
What each side wants
Maryland wants the Court to uphold the passenger arrest based on the drugs found in the car.
Pringle wants the Court to reverse the arrest because no evidence linked him to the drugs.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 41-17 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 41-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 11-33
What each side says
Maryland argues that drugs in a car create probable cause to arrest any occupant.
Pringle argues that the officer lacked specific facts connecting the passenger to the drugs.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 41-17 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 41-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 11-33
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if the case was submitted after the opening statement.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 39-41
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of police power during traffic stops. It determines when officers can arrest passengers without individualized proof. The outcome shapes future searches and arrests in vehicles.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 41-17 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 41-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 11-33
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 39-41
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 41-17 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 41-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 41-17 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 41-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 11-33
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.