New York Court of Appeals
The People of the State of New York, Respondent v. James L. De Santis, Appellant
December 7, 197846 N.Y.2d 82
Summary
The Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of James L. De Santis, holding that the warrantless search of his suitcase incident to his lawful arrest was reasonable and did not violate United States v. Chadwick. The majority reasoned that the search was closely tied in time and place to the arrest and fell within the established incident‑to‑arrest exception. Judge Wachtler dissented, arguing that the search was illegal under Chadwick. The decision thus upholds the conviction.