Wong Sun v. United States
| Wong Sun v. United States | |
|---|---|
| Argued March 29, April 2, 1962 Reargued October 8, 1962 Decided January 14, 1963 | |
| Full case name | Wong Sun, et al. v. United States |
| Citations | 371 U.S. 471 (more) 83 S. Ct. 407; 9 L. Ed. 2d 441; 1963 U.S. LEXIS 2431 |
| Case history | |
| Prior | 288 F.2d 366 (9th Cir. 1961); cert. granted, 368 U.S. 817 (1961). |
| Holding | |
| The presentation of verbal evidence and recovered narcotics where they were both fruits of an illegal entry are inadmissible in court except where there is a break in chain of evidence. | |
| Court membership | |
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| Case opinions | |
| Majority | Brennan, joined by Warren, Black, Douglas, Goldberg |
| Concurrence | Douglas |
| Dissent | Clark, joined by Harlan, Stewart, White |
Wong Sun v. United States, 371 U.S. 471 (1963), is a United States Supreme Court decision excluding the presentation of verbal evidence and recovered narcotics where they were both fruits of an illegal entry. Narcotics agents unlawfully entered Toy's laundry at which point Toy indicated that Jonny was selling narcotics. The drug agents then went to Jonny and found the narcotics. Jonny made a deal to give up his supplier, Wong Sun. The agents then arrested Wong Sun. All were arraigned and released on their own recognizance. Several days later, Wong Sun voluntarily returned to the police station to make a statement, during the process of which he confessed.
In a trial in a Federal District Court without a jury, they were convicted of fraudulent and knowing transportation and concealment of illegally imported heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §174. Although the Court of Appeals held that the arrests of both petitioners without warrants were illegal, because not based on "probable cause" within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment nor "reasonable grounds" within the meaning of the Narcotics Control Act of 1956, it affirmed their convictions.