Arizona v. Johnson
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.
Briefs and Documents
Merit briefs
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
