Texas v. White (SCOTUS 1975), 423 U.S. 67

Summary

The Supreme Court held that a warrantless search of a vehicle at the police station is constitutional when probable cause existed at the time of arrest, affirming the admissibility of the checks seized and reversing the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The Court relied on Chambers v. Maroney, finding that the probable‑cause factor persists from the scene to the station house. The case was remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Justice Marshall, dissenting, argued that the majority misapplies Chambers and would have excluded the evidence.

Holding

Whether a warrantless search of an automobile at a police station is permissible under the Fourth Amendment when probable cause existed at the time of arrest. The warrantless search of the automobile at the station house was constitutional because probable cause existing at the scene continued to justify the search at the station house.

Whether the evidence obtained from such a search must be suppressed. The evidence seized from the warrantless station‑house search is admissible and therefore not subject to suppression.