Facts
Schmerber had been arrested at a hospital after getting into a car accident. The police officer directed that a blood sample be drawn from Schmerber to test his blood alcohol level.
Procedural History
The report of the blood alcohol level analysis was admitted at trial and Schmerber was convicted driving while intoxicated.
Issue(s)
Were the police justified in requiring Schmerber to consent to a blood test and were the means used respected relevant Fourth Amendment standards?
Holding(s)
Yes.
Reasoning/Analysis
The Court found that there was plainly probable cause to arrest Schmerber but the mere fact of a lawful arrest does not end the inquiry. First, there may be more immediate danger of concealed weapons or of destruction of evidence under the direct control of the accused and second, once a search for weapons is permitted, it would be impractical to confine the search to those items alone. Given that the officer might reasonably have believed he was confronted with an emergency, the attempt to secure blood-alcohol content was an appropriate incident to Schmerber’s arrest. Also, the means chosen were a reasonable one.
Judgment/Outcome
The Court affirmed the conviction of Schmerber.
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