October Term 2003 · Docket 03-5165
Can police search a car after the driver exits?
the side that brought the case argues the search violated Belton because officers did not contact him inside the vehicle.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — 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
Mr. Dunham argued the government failed to prove officers initiated contact while Thornton was inside the car.
Mr. Dunham cited a state court opinion to distinguish the facts of this case from prior rulings.
Mr. Garre stated the sole contention was that the search was unlawful under Belton.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 1-3 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 1-3
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of New York v. Belton. It asks if police must initiate contact with a driver while they are inside the car to justify a search.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 27-33
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 31, 2004.
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 52, lines 1-3 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 1-3
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the search ruled unlawful.
The government wants the search upheld as lawful.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 27-33
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues officers failed to prove they initiated contact while he was inside the car.
The government argues the search complied with existing legal standards.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 27-33
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if the case was submitted.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 1-3 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 1-3
Why it matters
This dispute defines the limits of vehicle searches. It determines when police can search a car after a driver exits. The outcome shapes daily police interactions with motorists.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 27-33
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 52, lines 1-3 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 1-3
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 25, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 27-33
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.