9th Cir.;
15-50459

The court of appeals affirmed a judgment. The court held that the defendant, while released under “mandatory supervision,” was subject to warrantless, suspicionless search of any “premises” under his control, which premises included a hotel room he was renting.

Steven Cervantes was convicted in California state court of several non-violent felonies and sentenced to three years in county jail. He served the last year of that sentence on “mandatory supervision,” a form of conditional release similar to parole. While on mandatory supervision, Cervantes was stopped for jaywalking. In response to the officer's questions, Cervantes told the officer that he was on “probation” and subject to a search condition. The officer searched Cervantes' person and found a room key to a nearby hotel. Cervantes confirmed that he was renting a room at that hotel. The officer went to the hotel and searched Cervantes' room. He found counterfeit currency in various stages of production. Cervantes was charged with unlawfully possessing counterfeit currency. Cervantes' motion to suppress was denied and he was found guilty.