United States v. Matlock, 415 U.S. 164 (1974), was a Supreme Court of the United States case in which the Court ruled that the Fourth Amendment prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures was not violated when the police obtained voluntary consent from a third party who possessed common authority over the premises sought to be searched.
In United States v. Matlock, 415 U.S. 164 (1974), the Supreme Court clarified that the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches and seizures is not compromised when law enforcement obtains voluntary cooperation from a third party who has shared authority or control over the premises being searched.