Stoner v. California

The Court held that it was important to remember it was the defendant’s constitutional right which was at stake here, not the night clerk’s nor the hotel’s. It was a right, therefore, which only Stoner could waive by word or deed, either directly or through an agent. While the night clerk clearly and unambiguously consented to the search, there was nothing to indicate the government had any basis to believe that Stoner authorized the night clerk to allow the officers to search his room.