Case ID: mich-app_106/html/0263-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Per Curiam.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

PEOPLE v FULLER
    Docket No. 50503.
    Submitted April 13, 1981, at Lansing.
    Decided May 6, 1981.
    Kenneth R. Fuller was convicted of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance and of delivery of a controlled substance, Bay Circuit Court, Eugene C. Penzien, J. He appeals, alleging that the search warrant which authorized the seizure and search of his motor vehicle was not based on probable cause and that the section of the Public Health Code under which he was convicted violates the title-object clause of the Michigan Constitution. Held:
    
    1. The magistrate who issued the search warrant was not required to inquire into the circumstances underlying hearsay statements in the affidavit offered to establish probable cause because the statements were made by police officers. The record reveals that there was probable cause to issue the warrant.
    2. The section of the Public Health Code under which defendant was convicted does not violate the title-object clause of the Michigan Constitution.
    Affirmed.
    1. Searches and Seizures — Search Warrants — Probable Cause — Affidavits — Informants.
    An affidavit offered to establish the probable cause required for the issuance of a search warrant, where such affidavit contains hearsay statements of a confidential informant, must indicate some of the underlying circumstances upon which the informant based his conclusions, and there must be some basis for concluding either that the informant is credible or that his information in the particular instance is reliable.
    References for Points in Headnotes
    [1, 2] 68 Am Jur 2d, Searches and Seizures § 65.
    Propriety of considering hearsay or other incompetent evidence in establishing probable cause for issuance of search warrant. 10 ALR3d 359.
    [3] 5 Am Jur 2d, Appeal and Error §§ 772, 774, 775.
    
       73 Am Jur 2d, Statutes § 100.
    
      2. Searches and Seizures — Search Warrants — Magistrates — Probable Cause — Affidavits.
    A magistrate, in determining probable cause to issue a search warrant based on an affidavit which contains hearsay statements of ordinary citizens or police officers, may consider the source of the information to be credible without inquiring into the underlying circumstances upon which the statements are based, providing that the information set forth in the affidavit is sufficient to convince the magistrate that there is probable cause to believe that the object of the search will be found in the place to be searched.
    3. Searches and Seizures — Search Warrants — Appeal — Standard of Review.
    The Court of Appeals, in reviewing a challenge to the issuance of a search warrant, may not substitute its judgment for that of a magistrate absent a clear abuse of discretion in the determination of probable cause.
    4. Health — Public Health Code — Criminal Law — Constitutional Law — Title-Object Clause — Statutes.
    The section of the Public Health Code which proscribes the delivery of controlled substances and provides penalties therefor does not violate the title-object clause of the Michigan Constitution (Const 1963, art 4, § 24; MCL 333.7401; MSA 14.15[7401]).
    
      Frank J. Kelley, Attorney General, Robert A. Derengoski, Solicitor General, George B. Mullison, Prosecuting Attorney, and Thomas J. Rasdale, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for the people.
    
      Craig D. Alston, for defendant on appeal.
    Before: Bashara, P.J., and T. M. Burns and Beasley, JJ.
   Per Curiam.

Defendant was convicted by a jury for conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance and delivery of a controlled substance, contrary to MCL 750.157a; MSA 28.354(1) and MCL 333.7401; MSA 14.15(7401).

Defendant was the owner and driver of a van from which, undercover police officers testified, an illegal drug sale was transacted. The van was seized, and a warrant to search the van was issued on the basis of the affidavit of an officer, who was neither the arresting officer nor one of those working undercover. The search produced incriminating evidence.

Defendant contends that the search of his van was illegal because the supporting affidavit for the warrant was insufficient to establish probable cause. The affidavit was not based totally upon the affiant’s own personal observations but upon information relayed to him by fellow police officers. Defendant argues that probable cause could not be based upon this affidavit since it failed to meet the two-pronged test set forth in Aguilar v Texas, 378 US 108; 84 S Ct 1509; 12 L Ed 2d 723 (1964), and Spinelli v United States, 393 US 410; 89 S Ct 584; 21 L Ed 2d 637 (1969). Those cases essentially hold that when an affidavit contains hearsay statements of a confidential informant it must show that the tip was accompanied by some of the underlying circumstances upon which the informant based his conclusions. Second, there must be some basis for concluding either that the informant was credible or that his information in the particular instance was reliable.

We do not believe the Aguilar-Spinelli test is applicable to the situation presented here. A number of decisions have held the test inapplicable to information supplied by ordinary citizens. People v Tooks, 403 Mich 568, 577-578; 271 NW2d 503 (1978), People v Harris, 95 Mich App 507, 511; 291 NW2d 97 (1980), People v O’Brien, 89 Mich App 704, 714; 282 NW2d 190 (1979), People v Rodriguez, 83 Mich App 606, 609; 269 NW2d 199 (1978), People v Emmert, 76 Mich App 26, 30-31; 255 NW2d 757 (1977). These decisions all concur that it would be illogical to place a dutiful citizen in the same category as the professional stool pigeon who is often described as a confidential informant and is often himself criminally disposed. We find no reason to distinguish police officers and ordinary citizens for the purpose of meeting the Aguilar-Spinelli test.

When one police officer receives information from a fellow officer, the law allows him to assume that his source is credible. See United States v Cox, 464 F2d 937 (CA 6, 1972). Where this information is then presented to a magistrate in an application for a search warrant, the magistrate too may consider the source to be credible.

Of course, the information set forth in an affidavit still must be sufficient to convince the magistrate that there is probable cause to believe that the items to be sought will be found in the place to be searched. The affidavit here stated that the affiant gained his information from two police officers who took part in a planned surveillance and whose function it was to make drug purchases. The magistrate could assume that the two officers had experience in this area and had the ability to sufficiently identify illicit drugs. The affiant further stated that it had been his experience that people who sold drugs out of vehicles often carried other drugs in their vehicles. We conclude that the magistrate had probable cause to believe that a search of defendant’s van would produce evidence of marijuana or PCP.

Finally, the standard of review for the issuance of search warrants is succinctly stated in People v Iaconis, 29 Mich App 443, 462; 185 NW2d 609 (1971): "This Court may not substitute its judgment for that of the magistrate unless there has been a clear abuse of discretion in his determination of probable cause.”

Defendant was also convicted of delivery of a controlled substance under § 7401 of the Public Health Code. MCL 333.7401; MSA 14.15(7401). The Michigan Constitution in pertinent part provides, "No law shall embrace more than one object, which shall be expressed in its title”. Const 1963, art 4, § 24. Defendant argues that his conviction for delivery is invalid in that the Public Health Code embraces substantially more than one object and that nowhere in its title is there reference to controlled substances or criminal penalties for the sale thereof.

This same argument was recently rejected in People v Trupiano, 97 Mich App 416, 420; 296 NW2d 49 (1980), lv den 409 Mich 895 (1980). We believe that drug use and addiction comprise a serious health problem. The proscription against unlawful use, sale, or delivery of those drugs is therefore a related object of the Public Health Code and is embraced by the title which sets forth as its purpose "to protect and promote the public health” and to "provide for the prevention and control of diseases”. The title-object clause of the constitution was not designed to prevent the Legislature from simplifying, consolidating, and codifying laws relating to public health. See Advisory Opinion re Constitutionality of 1972 PA 294, 389 Mich 441; 208 NW2d 469 (1973).

Defendant also contends that criminal provisions relating to drug sales should more properly be made part of the penal code. This argument was rejected in People v Milton, 393 Mich 234; 224 NW2d 266 (1974). Section 7401 is germane to public health, and the fact that it is also germane to the penal code does not change our decision regarding its constitutionality.

Defendant’s conviction is affirmed.

The people’s motion to affirm is denied.