Which US Supreme Court case in 1974 concluded that a co-occupant can give permission for a search of a home’s common area?

The case that established that a co-occupant can give permission for a search of a home's common area is US v. Matlock. This landmark decision addressed the issue of consent searches and clarified the legal standing regarding consent given by one occupant of shared premises.

In US v. Matlock, the Supreme Court ruled that when multiple individuals have access and control over a shared space, one individual's consent is sufficient for law enforcement to conduct a search. The ruling underscored the idea that if a person has common authority over a property, they are entitled to make decisions about that property, including the right to consent to a search, even if other co-occupants are present and do not consent.

This principle is crucial in law enforcement practices because it simplifies the process of searching shared living spaces while acknowledging the rights of individuals who may not necessarily own or lease the property. Consequently, the decision in this case is frequently cited in discussions about the Fourth Amendment and consent searches.

Other options presented do not pertain to the authority of one occupant in a co-occupancy situation regarding consent for searches, but rather deal with different aspects of search and seizure law.