Nix+v.+United+States

1984 Nix vs. Williams Petitioner- Crispus Nix Respondent-Robert Anthony Wiliiams Williams murdered a 10 y/o girl and hid the body- while in the police car, being brought in for questioning, but before being informed of his right to counsel, he disclosed to location of the body- he then tried to have any evidence gained from the body supressed on the grounds that an attorney was not present when the information was obtained, nor was he made aware that he could have one present- the police held that since the body would have been found anyway through the volunteer search they had mounted, it should be permittedWashington DC State law enforcements and 200 volunteers searched the area between Grinnel and Des Moines to search for the body.

Majority Opinion: The Decision that was made for the case said that unlawfully obtained evidence is admissible if it would have been discovered lawfully anyways. This cause controversy over whethere evidence gained in voilation of someone under arrest's constitutional rights could still be used in court. If it would have been discovered by lawful means anyways then it still would be allowed. This is known as "inevitable discovery"

Dissenting Opinion:Two justices felt that the conviction should be overturned because the bulk of the evidence was from the body which was founf through what they deemed to be unconstitutional means.

4th Amendment Cases