The People of the State of New York v. Miguel Gonzalez

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the Appellate Division, holding that the warrantless opening of a closed paper bag found in an impounded automobile as part of an inventory search was reasonable under the Fourth Amendment, applying the reasonableness standard articulated in Illinois v. LaFayette. The Court reasoned that inventory searches may include opening containers when the police have a legitimate administrative purpose and there is no indication of a pretextual investigative motive. Justice Wachtler, dissenting, would have reversed and suppressed the evidence.