"A person's mere propinquity to others independently suspected of criminal activity does not give rise to probable cause to search that person"
- Potter Stewart
About this Quote
This quote by Potter Stewart is describing the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which secures people from unreasonable searches and seizures. In this quote, Stewart is stating that just remaining in close proximity to someone who is suspected of criminal activity does not provide police the right to browse that individual. This suggests that police need to have possible cause to search someone, which is specified as an affordable belief that an individual has committed a crime. Stewart's quote is highlighting the importance of securing citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures, which police should have a legitimate factor to browse somebody. This quote is an essential tip of the importance of the Fourth Amendment and the defense it offers to citizens.
About the Author