inventory exception (Virginia) · Go Syfert
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inventory exception in Virginia

7 Virginia opinions name it 3 courts 1980–2024 1 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Virginia courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (4)

CaseFollowedCited
Williams v. Commonwealthgreen
vactapp · 2004 · cited in 2 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2016–2020
2 sentences

2020However, this Court has recognized, Under the community caretaker exception, the police may conduct a warrantless inventory search of a vehicle only if the following conditions are met: “1) the vehicle must be lawfully impounded; 2) the impoundment and subsequent search must be conducted pursuant to standard police procedures; and 3) the impoundment and subsequent search must not be a pretextual surrogate for an improper investigatory motive.” Id. (quoting Williams v. Commonwealth, 42 Va. App. 723, 731 (2004)). “[T]he inventory exception does not apply when the inventory is merely ‘a pretext c

2016This inventory exception to the warrant requirement may only be invoked by the prosecution if the following conditions are met as detailed in Williams v. Commonwealth, 42 Va. App. 723 (2004): (1) the vehicle must be lawfully impounded; (2) the impoundment and subsequent search must be conducted pursuant to standard police procedures; and, (3) the impoundment and subsequent search must not be a pretextual surrogate for an improper investigatory motive.

12
Reese v. Commonwealthgreen
va · 1980 · cited in 2 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2015–2020
2 sentences

2020However, this Court has recognized, Under the community caretaker exception, the police may conduct a warrantless inventory search of a vehicle only if the following conditions are met: “1) the vehicle must be lawfully impounded; 2) the impoundment and subsequent search must be conducted pursuant to standard police procedures; and 3) the impoundment and subsequent search must not be a pretextual surrogate for an improper investigatory motive.” Id. (quoting Williams v. Commonwealth, 42 Va. App. 723, 731 (2004)). “[T]he inventory exception does not apply when the inventory is merely ‘a pretext c

2015While it is true that “inventory searches are not ‘unreasonable’ within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment ... the inventory exception does not apply when the inventory is merely ‘a pretext concealing an investigatory police motive.’ ” Reese, 220 Va. at 1039 , 265 S.E.2d at 749 (quoting Opperman, 428 U.S. at 376 , 96 S.Ct. at 3100 ).

12
King v. Commonwealthgreen
vactapp · 2002 · cited in 1 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2024–2024
1 sentence

2024See King, 39 Va. App. at 309-10 . 7 Though this unpublished Fourth Circuit case is not binding on this Court, we are persuaded by its rationale.

11
Florida v. Wellsgreen
scotus · 1990 · cited in 1 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2020–2020
2 sentences

2020However, this Court has recognized, Under the community caretaker exception, the police may conduct a warrantless inventory search of a vehicle only if the following conditions are met: “1) the vehicle must be lawfully impounded; 2) the impoundment and subsequent search must be conducted pursuant to standard police procedures; and 3) the impoundment and subsequent search must not be a pretextual surrogate for an improper investigatory motive.” Id. (quoting Williams v. Commonwealth, 42 Va. App. 723, 731 (2004)). “[T]he inventory exception does not apply when the inventory is merely ‘a pretext c

2020Here, the trial court found the search was merely a pretext concealing an investigatory motive by the officers, who wanted to search the car for contraband.4 See Wells, 495 U.S. at 4 .

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Virginia. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (4)

CaseCitedYears
South Dakota v. Opperman green
scotus · 1976
2 sentences

2015While it is true that “inventory searches are not ‘unreasonable’ within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment ... the inventory exception does not apply when the inventory is merely ‘a pretext concealing an investigatory police motive.’ ” Reese, 220 Va. at 1039 , 265 S.E.2d at 749 (quoting Opperman, 428 U.S. at 376 , 96 S.Ct. at 3100 ).

2015While it is true that “inventory searches are not ‘unreasonable’ within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment ... the inventory exception does not apply when the inventory is merely ‘a pretext concealing an investigatory police motive.’ ” Reese, 220 Va. at 1039 , 265 S.E.2d at 749 (quoting Opperman, 428 U.S. at 376 , 96 S.Ct. at 3100 ).

31980–2015
James Dean Cantrell v. Commonwealth of Virginia green
vactapp · 2015
1 sentence

2020However, this Court has recognized, Under the community caretaker exception, the police may conduct a warrantless inventory search of a vehicle only if the following conditions are met: “1) the vehicle must be lawfully impounded; 2) the impoundment and subsequent search must be conducted pursuant to standard police procedures; and 3) the impoundment and subsequent search must not be a pretextual surrogate for an improper investigatory motive.” Id. (quoting Williams v. Commonwealth, 42 Va. App. 723, 731 (2004)). “[T]he inventory exception does not apply when the inventory is merely ‘a pretext c

12020–2020
Cabbler v. Commonwealth green
va · 1971
2 sentences

2019Cabbler v. Commonwealth , 212 Va. 520 , 522-23, 184 S.E.2d 781 (1971).

2019Cabbler v. Commonwealth , 212 Va. 520 , 522-23, 184 S.E.2d 781 (1971).

12019–2019
Schaum v. Commonwealth green
va · 1975
2 sentences

2019However, that ruling was based on Schaum v. Commonwealth , 215 Va. 498 , 501, 211 S.E.2d 73 (1975), which justified such searches on the automobile exception and the inventory exception.

2019However, that ruling was based on Schaum v. Commonwealth , 215 Va. 498 , 501, 211 S.E.2d 73 (1975), which justified such searches on the automobile exception and the inventory exception.

12019–2019

Where else courts name it

TX 20 (1990–2015) OH 17 (1989–2021) IN 15 (1992–2023) LA 14 (1980–2018) WA 11 (1968–2019) MI 9 (1976–2021) NY 9 (1968–2021) OR 8 (2012–2021) ID 8 (1992–2025) IL 8 (1978–2025) VA 7 (1980–2024) NM 5 (1993–2025) MA 5 (1990–2015) MN 5 (1997–2016) WY 4 (2013–2025) WI 4 (1942–2024) MD 4 (1975–2017) IA 4 (1984–2024) CA 4 (1967–2023) KS 3 (2018–2019) PA 3 (1978–2020) NE 3 (1990–2000) CO 3 (1985–2021) FL 3 (1981–2025) GA 2 (2014–2014) ND 2 (1985–2013) CT 2 (1991–1993) NH 2 (2000–2003) MS 2 (2001–2005) AK 2 (1982–1996) AL 2 (1986–1993)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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