Code of Criminal Procedure · U.S. Supreme Court, 2013

Florida v. Jardines

Florida v. Jardines is a 2013 U.S. Supreme Court decision. This page summarizes key points and works through practice questions for Texas peace officer exam preparation.

Key points

  • Curtilage = area immediately surrounding and associated with the home
  • Receives same 4A protection as home
  • Investigative entry without warrant or license = search

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Worked examples

Worked example 1

An officer enters a private fenced backyard and looks through a window. This is most likely:

  1. Permissible — anyone could do it
  2. A Fourth Amendment search of the curtilage requiring a warrant or warrant exception (Florida v. Jardines) Correct
  3. Lawful — windows are public
  4. Permissible inventory
Why: The curtilage of a home receives the same Fourth Amendment protection as the home itself. Officers entering curtilage to investigate (e.g., bringing a drug-detection dog) without a warrant or implied license is a search.
Statute: Florida v. Jardines, 569 U.S. 1 (2013)