Arizona v. Johnson
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07-1122 | Ariz. Ct. App. Division Two | Dec 9, 2008 | Jan 26, 2009 | 9-0 | Ginsburg | OT 2008 |
Issue: Whether, in the context of a vehicular stop for a minor traffic infraction, an officer may conduct a pat-down search of a passenger when the officer has an articulable basis to believe the passenger might be armed and presently dangerous, but had no reasonable grounds to believe that the passenger is committing, or has committed, a criminal offense.
Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 9-0, in an opinion by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on January 26, 2009.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Analysis: More power for police, more immunity for prosecutors (Lyle Denniston, January 26, 2009)
- Analysis: More police authority in sight? (Lyle Denniston, December 9, 2008)
- Argument preview: The Constitution at roadside (Lyle Denniston, December 8, 2008)
- A new vote for property rights? (Lyle Denniston, June 23, 2008)
Briefs and Documents
Merit briefs
- Brief for Petitioner State of Arizona
- Brief for Respondent Lemon Montrea Johnson
- Reply Brief for Petitioner State of Arizona
Amicus briefs
- Brief for Americans for Effective Law Enforcement, Inc., the International Association for Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriffs’ Association, the Arizona Law Enforcement Legal Advisors’ Association, and the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for Illinois, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the United States of America in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the National League of Cities, the Council of State Governments, the National Association of Counties, the International City/County Management Association, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the International Municipal Lawyers Association in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Responsent
Certiorari-Stage Documents
- Opinion below (Court of Appeals of Arizona, Division Two)
- Petition for certiorari
- Brief in opposition (forthcoming)
- Petitioner’s reply
Merit briefs
- Brief for Petitioner State of Arizona
- Brief for Respondent Lemon Montrea Johnson
- Reply Brief for Petitioner State of Arizona
Amicus briefs
- Brief for Americans for Effective Law Enforcement, Inc., the International Association for Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriffs’ Association, the Arizona Law Enforcement Legal Advisors’ Association, and the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for Illinois, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the United States of America in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the National League of Cities, the Council of State Governments, the National Association of Counties, the International City/County Management Association, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the International Municipal Lawyers Association in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Responsent
Certiorari-Stage Documents
- Opinion below (Court of Appeals of Arizona, Division Two)
- Petition for certiorari
- Brief in opposition (forthcoming)
- Petitioner’s reply