Opinion ID: 321763
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: I remarked 'extreme nervousness'. (On the search report)

Text: 27 Q. Wouldn't you feel that is your subjective evaluation of her based on your experience? 28 A. Yes, it is. 29 Q. There aren't any objective facts you can point to at this time which would indicate this nervousness? I'm referring to such things as shying eyes away, fiddling with her hands, anything like that, is that a fair statement? 30 A. No, I couldn't at this time single out any one specific item when I say nervousness. 31 Mastberg argues that the inspector's testimony on nervousness did not contain any objective facts and therefore it cannot support real suspicion. We disagree. 32 Testimony about corporeal appearances such as nervousness and drunkenness have produced considerable controversy. While the older view might preclude witnesses from giving their 'opinion' on whether a particular person appeared nervous or intoxicated, under the modern, and probably majority, view a lay witness may state his opinion that a person appeared nervous or intoxicated. E.g., People v. Smith, 94 Cal.App.2d Supp. 975, 210 P.2d 98 (1949) (intoxication); People v. Hernandez, 70 Cal.App.2d 190, 60 P.2d 564 (1945) (intoxication). See 32 C.J.S. Evidence 546(38) (1964). 5 33 We hold that the procedure followed at the suppression hearing was correct. The inspector testified that Mastberg appeared nervous and counsel on cross-examination sought to attack that testimony by asking about the underlying facts. The inspector testified that he could not pinpoint the specific fact which led him to believe that Mastberg was nervous. He did not write down the facts on the search report. He only wrote on the search report that she appeared nervous. His testimony on nervousness was admissible. The trier of fact must weigh the accuracy of the testimony of the customs inspector and judge its credibility. Here, the trier of fact presumably resolved the factual issue in favor of the government. None of the trio testified and disputed the accuracy of the inspector's testimony. We cannot say that the trier of fact should have disregarded the testimony of nervousness. 34