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United States v. Watson

United States Supreme Court
423 U.S. 411 (1976)


On August 17, 1972, a reliable informant alerted a postal inspector that Watson (defendant) had a stolen credit card. The informant gave the card to the inspector and agreed to set up a meeting with Watson. During the meeting, the informant signaled that Watson had more stolen cards. Police arrested Watson, read his rights as required by Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), and asked to search his car. Watson said, "go ahead," and repeated that officers could "go ahead" with the search even after an officer told him that anything found in the car would "go against" Watson. Watson gave officers the keys to the car, and officers found two stolen credit cards inside the car. Watson was charged with possessing stolen mail. Before trial, Watson moved to suppress the evidence found in the car. He claimed that the warrantless arrest was invalid and that his consent to search the car was involuntary and ineffective because he was not informed that he could withhold consent. The trial court denied the motion, and Watson was convicted. The appellate court reversed, holding that the warrantless arrest of Watson was unconstitutional and that Watson's consent to search the car was coerced and thus invalid. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law


Holding and Reasoning (White, J.)

Concurrence (Stewart, J.)

Concurrence (Powell, J.)

Dissent (Marshall, J.)

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