James Woodall put his garbage can out on the sidewalk in front of his house for pick-up by the city sanitation department.Woodall put the garbage can out at 6:00 PM.The police had been conducting an undercover drug investigation in Woodall's neighborhood.At 9:00 PM that night,the officers working the neighborhood searched Woodall's garbage and found drug paraphernalia.The officers then conducted a stake-out from the house across the street from James's home.The officers witness James accept a delivery of meth and arrest him.Which of the following is true?

Question

James Woodall put his garbage can out on the sidewalk in front of his house for pick-up by the city sanitation department.Woodall put the garbage can out at 6:00 PM.The police had been conducting an undercover drug investigation in Woodall's neighborhood.At 9:00 PM that night,the officers working the neighborhood searched Woodall's garbage and found drug paraphernalia.The officers then conducted a stake-out from the house across the street from James's home.The officers witness James accept a delivery of meth and arrest him.Which of the following is true? ​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court has ruled that individuals do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy for trash left on the public curb for collection, thus the search of the garbage does not violate the Fourth Amendment. Similarly, observing activities in public view, such as during a stake-out, does not violate the Fourth Amendment.

James Woodall Put His Garbage Can Out on the Sidewalk