Weeks v. U.S Case Brief

Weeks v. U.S., 232 U.S. 383, 34 S.Ct. 341 (1914)

FACTS: Weeks was arrested by police, at his employer’s location, on federal charges including misuse of the mails. At the same time, other officers had gone to his home, seeking entry, and were told by a neighbor where the key was hidden. They entered, searched and seized a variety of papers and items. Later that same day, the local officers, accompanied by a federal marshal, returned to the house and were admitted by a resident of the house, possibly a boarder. Again, they searched, and took away additional papers.

Weeks applied for the return of his papers and other items, before the trial, and while some were returned, others were held and used as evidence.

ISSUE: Was the search legal, and by extension, the admission of the items found permitted in the trial?

HOLDING: No

DISCUSSION: The searches were illegal, and as such, the items are inadmissible in the trial.