The People of the State of New York v. Albert Spinelli

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals held that the warrantless seizure of the defendant's truck violated the Fourth Amendment because the plain view doctrine was inapplicable and no exigent circumstances existed. Accordingly, the Court reversed the Appellate Division and reinstated the County Court's suppression order. The decision reaffirmed that an arrest does not justify a search of other areas of a premises.