369 So. 2d 603 - Fields v. State’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

9 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 9 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “Essential requirement to a valid inventory search is that the police have taken lawful custody of the vehicle in the first instance and that they act in good faith in conducting inventory rather than using it as a subterfuge for warrantless search. [Citation omitted.] The basis on which Courts uphold inventory searches, i.e., that under routine police procedure it is essential when impounding a car to inventory it and its contents for preservation thereof as well as to insulate the police and garage owner from responsibility in the event of theft or destruction. [Citation omitted.] ..... The reasonableness of any search without a warrant is measured from the standpoint of the conduct of the searchers. If their conduct is in some way reprehensible, or if they precipitate a search and are motivated therein solely by desire to `hunt' for incriminating evidence, or if they do so without any plausible explanation or justification, the invasion is an unreasonable one. [Citation omitted.]”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 384 So. 2d 245 - Delatte v. State

2. “under routine police procedure it is essential when impounding a car to inventory it and its contents for preservation thereof as well as to insulate the police and garage owner from responsibility in the event of theft or destruction. (Citation omitted) Fields v. State, 369 So.2d 603, 605 (Fla. 1st DCA 1978).”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Knight v. State