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Name: Maryland v. Pringle
Case #: 02-809
Court: US Supreme Court
District USSup
Opinion Date: 12/15/2003
Subsequent History: Cross cites: 124 S. Ct. 795; 157 L. Ed. 2d 769
Summary

Defendant’s confession did not require suppression where it resulted from a lawful arrest undertaken with probable cause. An officer stopped a car for speeding and saw a large amount of cash in the glove compartment while the driver was retrieving his registration. The driver consented to a search of the car, and officers found cocaine in the back seat. All three passengers, including the defendant, were arrested and taken to the police station. The defendant waived his rights under Miranda and confessed that he was the owner of the drugs. He later moved to suppress his confession as the fruit of an unlawful arrest. However, the Supreme Court found that the arrest was supported by probable cause, and that Maryland law provided for a warrantless arrest under these circumstances. Thus, the arrest was lawful and the confession did not require suppression.