Case Name: Commonwealth vs. Certain Intoxicating Liquors, Thomas McCormick, claimant
Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Decision Date: 1874-06-18
Citations: 115 Mass. 145
Docket Number: 
Parties: Commonwealth vs. Certain Intoxicating Liquors, Thomas McCormick, claimant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Massachusetts Reports
Volume: 115
Pages: 145–146

Head Matter:
Commonwealth vs. Certain Intoxicating Liquors, Thomas McCormick, claimant.
Suffolk.
March 31.
June 18, 1874.
Ames & Devens, JJ., absent.
A complaint on the St. of 1869, c. 415, § 44, averred that intoxicating liquor waa kept in a certain three-sjtory brick building with basement, situate, &c., and prayed for a warrant to search “ said three-story brick building with basement and all sheds and outbuildings belonging to said building.” The warrant issued on this complaint directed the entry and search of the three-story brick building and all outhouses and sheds belonging to said building. Held, that the warrant was void.
Complaint to the Police Court of Somerville on the St. of 1869, c. 415, § 44. Trial in the Superior Court, on appeal, before Bacon, J., to whose rulings the claimant alleged exceptions, the substance of which is stated in the opinion of the court.
C. F. Donnelly, for the claimant.
C. R. Train, Attorney General, W. G. Colburn, Assistant Attorney General, for the Commonwealth.

Opinion:
Wells, J.
The complaint on the St. of 1869, c. 415, § 44, alleges reason to believe and belief that certain intoxicating liquors are kept and deposited by Thomas McCormick " in a certain three-story brick building with basement, situate," &c.; and prays for a warrant to search " said three-story brick building with basement and all sheds and outbuildings belonging to said building." The warrant recites the complaint and directs the officer to enter " the three-story brick building and all outhouses and sheds belonging to said building herein above described," and make search. The St. of 1869, c. 415, § 44, authorizes the magistrate to issue a warrant " to search the premises in which it is alleged such liquor is deposited." In Commonwealth v. Intoxi cating Liquors, 109 Mass. 371, and Same v. Same, 109 Mass. 373, it was held that a warrant which authorizes the search of any building or part of a building not included in the description of the premises in which the liquor is alleged to be deposited, is wholly void. This case comes within the principle of those decisions. Exceptions sustained.