Coolidge v. New Hampshire

403 U.S. 443 (1971)

Facts

After a one-month investigation of the murder of a young girl, Coolidge, D, was arrested. His home was searched. His cars were taken from the home to the police station, where they were searched without warrant, and vacuumed and impounded, and then searched two more times before the start of the trial over one year later. Vacuum sweepings revealed gunpowder and other evidence that showed that the murder victim had been in Coolidge's car before and after her death. That evidence was used in the trial. D was convicted. D appealed.