Mapp+v.+Ohio+4th


 * __Mapp Vs. Ohio __**

__About The Case: __

The case was presented on March 29th, 1961, and was decided on June 19, 1961. Mapp was accused of harboring a suspected bomb fugitive. The police came to search her house, but did not have a search warrant. She told them to leave unless they had a warrant. They busted into her house and waved a piece of paper in the air saying that it was their warrant. She stuffed it down her shirt so she could get a better look later, but they cuffed her and took it back. They found no fugitive, but a trunk full of “obscene materials” instead. She was then taken to court for possession of pornographic materials, which was against Ohio law.

__Why Is This Case Important? __

The trial violated the fourth amendment which protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures. The amendment, however, does not clarify how to treat a search done without a warrant, leaving a big controversy among the Supreme Court. In spite of this case, the “Mapp Rule” was established. This rule forbids evidence gathered illegally to be admissible in court; this rule had not been applied to state courts before.

__What Was The Ending Result In The Case? __  Mapp won with the result of a 6 to 3 vote. Due to the complications of the search done without a warrant, the government came upon a decision on how to treat searches done without a warrant.

__Important Terms: __

__Warrant __- a piece of writing or document certifying or authorizing something, as a receipt, license, or commission. · In this case, a **warrant** was the deciding factor of Mapp’s innocence. __Precedent __- a legal decision or form of proceeding serving as an authoritative rule or pattern in future similar or analogous cases. · <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">In this case, the **precedent** concluded that Mapp was innocent. __<span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Searches & Seizures- __<span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">taking possession of an item, property, or person legally or by force. <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">In this case, the Cleveland Police Department **searched** and **seized** Mapp’s home without a warrant, violating The Fourth Amendment.