Opinion ID: 2453191
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Probable Cause for Nighttime Search

Text: Fouse initially argues that there was nothing in Detective Oser's affidavit to show that Oser had information that Fouse possessed methamphetamine on his property or that the methamphetamine was in danger of imminent removal. Fouse further contends that the only language in the Oser affidavit regarding imminent removal of drugs was a conclusory statement to that effect, and that conclusory statements cannot support the issuance of a nighttime search warrant. We recently described our standard of review for a trial court's decision on a motion to suppress: In reviewing a trial court's ruling on a motion to suppress, we make an independent determination based upon the totality of the circumstances; we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the appellee, and we reverse only if the ruling is clearly erroneous or against the preponderance of the evidence. Mullinax v. State, 327 Ark. 41, 938 S.W.2d 801 (1997), cert. denied, 520 U.S. 1252, 117 S.Ct. 2411, 138 L.Ed.2d 176 (1997). We apply the totality-of-the-circumstances analysis when determining whether the issuing magistrate had a substantial basis for concluding that probable cause existed. Moore v. State, 323 Ark. 529, 915 S.W.2d 284 (1996); State v. Mosley, 313 Ark. 616, 856 S.W.2d 623 (1993). Langford v. State, 332 Ark. 54, 59-60, 962 S.W.2d 358, 361 (1998). Rule 13.1(b) of the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure provides the requirements for a valid application for a search warrant and the totality-of-the-circumstances approach to be taken in determining whether reasonable cause exists for the search. Nighttime searches, however, are treated differently under our criminal rules and require that the judicial officer find reasonable cause that at least one of three listed exigent circumstances exists: Except as hereafter provided, the search warrant shall provide that it be executed between the hours of six a.m. and eight p.m., and within a reasonable time, not to exceed sixty (60) days. Upon a finding by the issuing judicial officer of reasonable cause to believe that: (i) the place to be searched is difficult of speedy access; or (ii) the objects to be seized are in danger of imminent removal; or (iii) the warrant can only be safely or successfully executed at nighttime or under circumstances the occurrence of which is difficult to predict with accuracy; the issuing judicial officer may, by appropriate provision in the warrant, authorize its execution at any time, day or night, and within a reasonable time not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date of issuance. Ark. R.Crim. P. 13.2(c). This court has invalidated nighttime search warrants on several occasions when facts supporting one or more exigent circumstances have been found wanting. See, e.g., Richardson v. State, 314 Ark. 512, 863 S.W.2d 572 (1993); Garner v. State, 307 Ark. 353, 820 S.W.2d 446 (1991); State v. Martinez, 306 Ark. 353, 811 S.W.2d 319 (1991); Hall v. State, 302 Ark. 341, 789 S.W.2d 456 (1990); State v. Broadway, 269 Ark. 215, 599 S.W.2d 721 (1980). In Richardson v. State, supra , this court held that a nighttime search warrant based on a conclusory statement in the police detectives' affidavit that pornographic photographs and other evidence were in danger of being removed was issued in error. In holding that the police detectives' language about removal was conclusory, we said: We have consistently held that a factual basis supporting a nighttime search is required as a prerequisite to the issuance of a warrant authorizing a nighttime search.... We have held conclusory language... unsupported by facts is insufficient to justify a nighttime search.... Given that there was nothing to give reasonable cause to believe the items specified in the search warrant would be disposed of, removed, or hidden before the next morning, issuance of the nighttime search warrant was in error. Id. at 518-519, 863 S.W.2d at 576. Likewise, in Garner v. State, supra , the police officers' affidavit in support of the search warrant for drugs stated that the dwelling to be searched was located 12.5 miles from the courthouse; a person arrested for possession of drugs had stated that he bought the drugs from the appellant; the sheriff's office had received information in the past sixty days that several purchases of marijuana had been made from the appellant; and a person arrested for possession of marijuana stated that he had observed a quantity of marijuana on the appellant's property. The judge issued a nighttime search warrant and checked two boxes on the warrant: the place to be searched is difficult of speedy access and the warrant can only be safely or successfully executed at night time or under circumstances the occurrence of which is difficult to predict with accuracy. In reversing the trial court's denial of appellant's motion to suppress, we said: [C]onclusory statements [do] not suffice to establish the requisite factual basis for reasonable cause.... We, therefore, hold that the two statements `checked' were conclusory and unsupported by sufficient facts and, accordingly, did not establish reasonable cause for a nighttime search. Without sufficient factual premises, it was impossible for the municipal judge to make an intelligent finding of reasonable cause to justify a nighttime search. Id. at 357-358, 820 S.W.2d at 449. We have also upheld the issuance and execution of a nighttime search warrant, when facts evidencing an exigent circumstance were present. See, e.g., Langford v. State, supra ; Owens v. State, 325 Ark. 110, 926 S.W.2d 650 (1996). In Langford v. State , for example, the affidavit given in support of the nighttime search warrant contained four exigent circumstances: (1) there were drugs currently located at the appellant's residence that were packaged and maintained in a manner that their destruction or removal could be easily accomplished; (2) the appellant had threatened one of the informants in the case with a weapon, and was believed to be armed and dangerous, making the element of surprise inherent with a nighttime search essential for the safety of the officers executing the warrant; (3) the affiant had information that the appellant would be leaving on September 29, 1993, thus giving rise to the belief that the drugs would be removed; and (4) the residence was located on a hill overlooking the road, making speedy access impossible. We held that these statements contained in the affidavit presented a sufficient factual basis to support the trial court's decision to deny suppression of the evidence seized in the nighttime search. Similarly, in Owens v. State, supra , the affidavit in support of the issuance of a nighttime search warrant stated in part: Access to the Dean Owens residence can be made only by a one lane dirt road which is filled with potholes, currently very muddy and the approach of vehicles can be observed from the residence.... Informant information has revealed that Dean and Christie (Judy) Owens have been under the constant influence of methamphetamine for the past six (6) months and have because of this use exhibited characteristics consistent with a fear of being watched and approached by law enforcement authorities at their residence. Information addressed in Paragraph Four of this affidavit supports the possibility of automatic firearm(s) being in the possession of the occupants of the Dean Owens residence. Therefore, safe and speedy access to the Dean Owens residence by authorities can only be obtained under the cover of darkness and during an hour when it would be reasonable to believe that occupants of the residence would be less attentive to approaching officers. Speedy access is necessary both for the protection and safety of approaching officers as well as occupants of the residence and to ensure that objects to be seized are not destroyed or removed in that the residence is equipped with indoor plumbing which could easily facilitate the flushing or washing of methamphetamine out of the residence. Id. at 117, 926 S.W.2d at 654. We affirmed the issuance of the nighttime search warrant based on the supporting exigent circumstances set out in the affidavit. In the case before us, the portion of the affidavit prepared by Detective Oser that touched on imminent removal read as follows: It has been my experience and I know that the process of manufacturing methamphetamine takes approximately four hours and that the chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine are volatile and subject to explode or at the least cause a fire and can be a danger to surrounding houses in a residential setting such as this. There is also an emminent (sic) danger that the items and hardware used to manufacture methamphetamine may be moved or destroyed and the methamphetamine product may be transported and/or sold. We view these comments by Detective Oser as conclusory and as falling more readily within the Richardson/ Garner line of cases where we held that factual support for a nighttime search had not been forthcoming. Nor can we agree with the trial court that a strong odor of ether detected at the Fouse residence at 9:00 p.m. on December 22, 1997, was a reasonable basis for concluding that methamphetamine was to be removed or sold or both within the next four hours and that a nighttime search was justified. We hold that not only was the search warrant deficient under Ark. R.Crim. P. 13.2(c) but that probable cause was lacking to justify a nighttime search.