Opinion ID: 797156
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Whitfield and Lindsey

Text: 18 At this stage, it is not clear what role these other officers played in the procurement of the warrant. It appears undisputed, however, that Gitchell alone actually prepared the affidavit and presented it to the judge. 19 Whitfield and Lindsey accordingly argue that they are entitled to qualified immunity because under Michalik v. Hermann, liability for procurement of a warrant is appropriate against (1) the affiant officer or (2) an officer who actually prepares the warrant application with knowledge that a warrant would be based solely on the document prepared. Such an officer is in a position to see the whole picture, to understand his responsibility, and thus fully to assess probable cause questions. 422 F.3d 252, 261 (5th Cir.2005) (footnote omitted). 20 In Michalik, this court, on interlocutory appeal, reversed the district court's denial of qualified immunity to two officers who were involved in the procurement process but were not the affiant or preparer of the affidavit with respect to potential liability for procurement of a warrant. Id. In granting the officers qualified immunity on this issue, the court noted that: 21 Although issues of fact may exist as to the roles that [the two officers] played in the investigation, and in providing some of the information to [the affiant officer], these issues of fact are not material to the warrant claim because none of the evidence suggests that [the two officers] prepared or presented the warrant or were fully responsible for its preparation or presentation. 22 Id. Hampton does not allege that Whitfield or Lindsey was the affiant officer or the officer who actually prepare[d] the warrant application with knowledge that a warrant would be based solely on the document prepared. Id. Even under the plaintiff's best view of the facts, these officers are not liable as a matter of law for Gitchell's procurement of the warrant. We reverse the district court and grant qualified immunity to Whitfield and Lindsey.