Delaware v. Prouse
Delaware v. Prouse
Argued January 17, 1979 Decided March 27, 1979
Full case nameDelaware v. Prouse
Citations440 U.S. (more)99 S. Ct. 1391; 59 L. Ed. 2d 660 Case history
PriorState v. Prouse, 382 A.2d 1359 (Del. 1978); cert. granted, 439 U.S. 816 (1978). Holding
Unless there is at least articulable and reasonable suspicion that a motorist is unlicensed, an automobile is not registered, or that either the vehicle or an occupant is otherwise subject to seizure for violation of law, stopping an automobile and detaining the driver to check his driver's license and the registration of the automobile are unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment.
Court membership
Chief Justice Warren E. Burger Associate Justices William J. Brennan Jr. · Potter Stewart Byron White · Thurgood Marshall Harry Blackmun · Lewis F. Powell Jr. William Rehnquist · John P. Stevens
Case opinions
MajorityWhite, joined by Burger, Brennan, Stewart, Marshall, Blackmun, Powell, Stevens
ConcurrenceBlackmun, joined by Powell
DissentRehnquist
Laws applied
U.S. Const. amend. IV