United States v. Santana

Petitioner

United States

Respondents

Mom Santana, et al.

Petitioner's Claim

That Santana's arrest for possession of heroin with intent to distribute was legally admissible, despite the fact that the arrest occurred within her home and without benefit of a search or arrest warrant.

Chief Lawyer for Petitioner

Frank H. Easterbrook

Chief Lawyer for Respondents

Dennis H. Eisman

Justices for the Court

Harry A. Blackmun, Warren E. Burger, Lewis F. Powell, Jr., William H. Rehnquist (writing for the Court), John Paul Stevens, Potter Stewart, Byron R. White

Justices Dissenting

William J. Brennan, Jr., Thurgood Marshall

Place

Washington, D.C.

Date of Decision

24 June 1976

Decision

Reversed the finding of the court of appeals, ruling that the respondents' arrest was legal given the fact that Santana was first confronted in the vestibule of her home, and the actual arrest occurred during "hot pursuit."

Related Cases

• Warden, Maryland Penitentiary v. Hayden, 387 U.S. 294 (1967).
• Katz v. United States, 389 U.S. 347 (1967).
• United States v. Watson, 423 U.S. 411 (1976).

Further Readings

• Biskupic, Joan, and Elder Witt, eds. Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the U.S. Supreme Court, 3rd ed. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, Inc., 1996.
• Findlaw, Inc. Supreme Court Cases Online. http://www.findworld.com