People v. Hollman, 79 N.Y.2d 181 (1992)

A request for information during a police encounter involves basic, non-threatening questions supported by an objective, credible reason, while a common-law inquiry involves more pointed questions based on a founded suspicion that criminality is afoot.

Summary

This case clarifies the distinction between a request for information and a common-law inquiry in police-citizen encounters under New York’s De Bour framework. Hollman was observed acting suspiciously in a bus terminal. An officer approached and asked him and his companion questions about their travel plans and luggage. After they denied owning bags that the officer saw them with, the officer searched the bags, finding drugs. The court held that the initial questions were a permissible request for information, but that subsequent questions and the search were justified only after the officer developed a founded suspicion of criminal activity based on the inconsistent answers. The court also reaffirmed the continued validity of the De Bour test under state common law, even in light of more permissive federal Fourth Amendment standards.

Facts

Officer Canale, an undercover narcotics officer, observed Hollman at a bus terminal. Hollman appeared nervous, looking around the terminal. He ascended and descended an escalator multiple times, then met a companion. They stood apart with a bag between them for 20 minutes. Hollman placed a bag in an overhead rack away from his seat. Canale approached them and asked questions.

Procedural History

Hollman was charged with drug possession. His motion to suppress the drugs was denied after a hearing. He pleaded guilty to third-degree possession. The Appellate Division affirmed the denial of the suppression motion. The New York Court of Appeals granted leave to appeal.

Issue(s)

1. Whether Officer Canale’s initial questioning of Hollman constituted a permissible request for information or an unlawful common-law inquiry requiring founded suspicion.
2. Whether the search of the bag was justified.
3. Whether the De Bour framework remains valid under New York law, independent of federal Fourth Amendment jurisprudence.

Holding

1. Yes, because the initial questions were basic and supported by an objective, credible reason based on Hollman’s suspicious behavior.
2. Yes, because the officer had a founded suspicion of criminal activity based on Hollman’s and his companion’s denial of owning the bags they were seen handling.
3. Yes, because De Bour is grounded in state common law, reflecting concerns for privacy and security, and its continued application serves predictability and protects individual rights.

Court’s Reasoning

The Court distinguished between a request for information and a common-law inquiry. A request for information involves basic, non-threatening questions about identity, destination, or reason for being in the area, supported by an objective, credible reason not necessarily indicative of criminality. A common-law inquiry involves more pointed questions that would lead a reasonable person to believe they are suspected of wrongdoing, requiring a founded suspicion that criminality is afoot. The Court stated, “Once the officer asks more pointed questions that would lead the person approached reasonably to believe that he or she is suspected of some wrongdoing and is the focus of the officer’s investigation, the officer is no longer merely seeking information. This has become a common-law inquiry that must be supported by a founded suspicion that criminality is afoot.”

The Court emphasized that the intensity and content of the questions are critical in distinguishing the two types of encounters. “[A] request for information is a general, nonthreatening encounter in which an individual is approached for an articulable reason and asked briefly about his or her identity, destination, or reason for being in the area.” Here, the initial questions about travel plans were permissible. However, the question about luggage was more directed towards possible criminality. The men’s denial of owning the bags, after Canale observed them handling the bags, created a founded suspicion justifying further inquiry. The court found the abandonment to be valid.

The Court also addressed the People’s request to overrule De Bour in light of more permissive federal Fourth Amendment standards. The Court declined, reaffirming that De Bour is grounded in state common law and reflects concerns for privacy and security that are independent of federal constitutional interpretations. The court stated, “The continued vitality of De Bour, therefore, is not contingent upon the interpretation that the Supreme Court gives the Fourth Amendment, because De Bour is largely based upon considerations of reasonableness and sound State policy.”