Lustig v. United States

Summary

The Court reversed the lower courts and held that the evidence seized was inadmissible because Secret Service Agent Greene participated in the search before it was completed, making the search a federal one under the Byars doctrine. The majority reasoned that federal participation, even after state officers began the search, transforms the enterprise into a federal search, requiring Fourth Amendment suppression. Justice Reed dissented, arguing Greene did not participate and the evidence should be admitted, while Justice Murphy concurred, emphasizing that any illegal search—regardless of the officers’ identity—necessitates suppression.