State v. Dempsey

Defendant challenges the search conducted when he arrived at the stationhouse after his arrest for assaulting a police officer. The evidence indicates that that search was made as a part of the booking procedure. The purpose was to remove Dempsey’s valuables' and personal effects and to secure them.

A reasonably conducted routine stationhouse search, without a warrant, of a person who is being booked immediately prior to his entering a cell, for the purpose of inventorying and safekeeping his personal effects, is not unreasonable. Such procedure protects the prisoner and his valuables from…