State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. Joseph Vincent Slockbower, Defendant-Appellant

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed the Appellate Division, holding that police may not impound and inventory a vehicle as a routine procedure when the driver is arrested for a motor vehicle offense unless the driver consents or is given a reasonable opportunity to arrange custody of the vehicle; the search was therefore unconstitutional and the evidence suppressed. Justice Schreiber, in a concurring opinion, criticized the majority's broad rule, while Justice Pashman concurred with qualifications.