United States v. Sokolow - Impact

United States v. Sokolow continued the Court's tendency to interpret the Fourth Amendment prohibition against unreasonable search and seizure in such a way as not to unduly hamper law enforcement officials, particularly those engaged in curtailing the illegal drug trade. The ruling had the effect of giving legal credence to the use of profiles of "typical" behavior and appearance of various types of criminals to identify potential offenders. It was this point which most troubled the dissenting justices, who noted that none of the behaviors exhibited by Sokolow that were used to put the authorities on his trail were illegal. Especially troubling to the dissenters was the use made by authorities of Sokolow's nervousness in various airports, noting that many individuals who are innocent of any wrongdoing are anxious about flying aboard commercial airlines.