Walter Fernandez, Petitioner v. California.

Summary

The Supreme Court held that consent by a co-occupant validates a warrantless search even if another co-occupant previously objected to the search but was not present at the time of consent. The Court refused to extend the narrow exception in Georgia v. Randolph to situations where the objecting occupant was removed lawfully and absent. In dissent, Justice Ginsburg would reverse, holding that a physical objection remains effective if the police could obtain a warrant.